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In a big day for the Kentucky Wildcats, they go into Starkville and get a grind-it-out victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs, 71-67. The pushes the Wildcats’ win streak to ten straight.
Kentucky jumped out to an 18 point lead early in the second half, but as par for the course, Mississippi State stormed back and threatened the Wildcats’ nine game win streak, but could never pull ahead.
PJ Washington continues his hot streak with another 20 point game, putting up 23, but would eventually foul out late in the second half.
Ashton Hagans had another solid outing as well, putting up eight points, nine assists, but only adding one steal. Tyler Herro added 12 points and hit a huge three point shot late to give the Wildcats some breathing room.
But before, the game tipped, the NCAA selection committee released its top-16 seeds as of right now for the NCAA tournament and Kentucky landed the top 2 seed overall, landing in the Midwest Region with Virginia as the 1 seed.
Now, on to LSU.
Here’s what social media had to say about the Wildcats’ performance and their seeding:
That's our 13th straight victory over Mississippi State. pic.twitter.com/xU7dE9sJs6
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 9, 2019
Wildcats survive!
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) February 9, 2019
No. 5 Kentucky holds off Mississippi St. to win its 10th-straight game! pic.twitter.com/Pu9QiHlgwL
10 straight Ws for @KentuckyMBB! pic.twitter.com/nqdCnvssNq
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) February 9, 2019
Mood: pic.twitter.com/eeyl6JLlVD
— KY Clips (@KY_Clips) February 9, 2019
Kentucky goes into the butthole of America, known as Starkville, and escapes. They just can’t beat us
— Ian Teasley (@ianteasley) February 9, 2019
Kentucky’s win streak pic.twitter.com/wdBmxRwyVD
— Brent Wainscott (@BrentW_KSR) February 9, 2019
That Kentucky (-3.5) ending was a SWEAT. Team is nails, big rebound and defense on the road. And yes every huge Tyler Herro shot hurts my soul.
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 9, 2019
I can't tell if all these fans are booing because they wanted a foul or because they have to go back home
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) February 9, 2019
Refs when PJ tries to play any defense today..... pic.twitter.com/YAlOajp3Dt
— Barstool UK (@BarstoolUK) February 9, 2019
Mississippi State has been truly excellent at almost beating Kentucky in the Calipari era
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) February 9, 2019
They have never actually done it, but they are always close
Kentucky improves to 13-0 vs Mississippi State under John Calipari. It's the only SEC school Kentucky hasn't lost to in 10 seasons under Calipari.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 9, 2019
Dont care what the final score was. Dont care how big of a lead they blew. That was a HECK of a win for Kentucky. Miss State gave them their best shot at home - and Kentucky made enough plays to get a win. This team ABSOLUTELY has the mental toughness to win six straight in March
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) February 9, 2019
Rather learn from a win than a loss, right? Letting an 18-point lead slip away should help Calipari get his players’ attention.
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) February 9, 2019
What a difference in this team from October until February 9th,at the beginning of the year or even a month ago this would’ve been a loss but not no more. Calipari is doing what I think is his best coaching at UK and should be a serious candidate for C.O.Y. #BBN
— Sean (@KentuckyKroge) February 9, 2019
TYLER BLEEPING HERRO!!! pic.twitter.com/wJ6G15pYUE
— Scott Charlton (@Scott_Charlton) February 9, 2019
23 games into the season how are you ranking this team in the Calipari era?
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) February 9, 2019
1) '11-12
2) '14-15
3) '09-10
4) these guys
5) '16-17
6) '10-11
jmo
Kentucky with another road win … and PJ Washington with another big offensive performance.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 9, 2019
Anyone wanna see a rematch of the Champions Classic Massacre in Minneapolis?
Sign. Me. Up.
Ugly on the road is fine by this guy.
— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) February 9, 2019
His FIFTH 20+ point outing in the last six games. @PJWashington = pic.twitter.com/X40988eRy0
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 9, 2019
And now for the NCAA top-16 reactions:
The current top 4 seeds in the Midwest Region
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) February 9, 2019
1. Virginia
2. Kentucky
3. Houston
4. Wisconsin#BracketPreview pic.twitter.com/5taB2gdlJ6
In the NCAA's right now ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/UTC6FbAMzn
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 9, 2019
Are we looking at the future Sweet 16? #BracketPreview pic.twitter.com/w67jGnWEpi
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) February 9, 2019
This bracket would truly be a godt pic.twitter.com/NSA5pylWgR
— Evan Hatter (@ehatt493) February 9, 2019
Cats want to be in Louisville but I think would take this grouping all day. https://t.co/m0JeFySyfT
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) February 9, 2019
This would be our Bracket
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) February 9, 2019
Love pic.twitter.com/8pgFmAgMHS
Kentucky already has wins over a current two seed (UNC), three seed (Kansas) and four seed (Louisville) with two cracks at a current one seed (Tennessee) coming up.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) February 9, 2019
Biggest week of the season upcoming? Possibly top 15/20 LSU team and No.1 Tennessee? You win both of those and you’re sitting at a one seed.
— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) February 9, 2019
The current 2-seeds!
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) February 9, 2019
Kentucky
Michigan
North Carolina
Michigan State#BracketPreview pic.twitter.com/LQbs7MrYDb
The Midwest Region in the NCAA’s early bracket:
— Tyler Thompson (@MrsTylerKSR) February 9, 2019
1. Virginia
2. Kentucky
3. Houston
4. Wisconsin
I’ll take it.
If tournament started today, 2 seed Kentucky would be matched up with 15 seed Loyola Chicago (sister Jean!) in the first round.
— Lee K. Howard (@HowardWKYT) February 9, 2019
Kentucky would be a No. 2 seed out in the MidWest Region if the season ended today
— #5 UK Basketball (19-3) (@BBNation15) February 9, 2019
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/I1J6BR90kP
First 2 seed I can deal with that https://t.co/Aldii6oI6r
— Hey Kentucky! (@hey_kentucky) February 9, 2019
Lovin this @marchmadness mid season selection show. Kentucky a #2 seed but season ain't over yet. Could end up being #1 - love the way we are playing right now! @KentuckyMBB
— J.D. Shelburne (@JDSHELBURNE) February 9, 2019
This is an exciting time for us! #BBN
ESPN projects Kentucky as a No. 2 seed, Louisville as a No. 4 (today). @JayBilas says Kentucky has a shot to climb to a No. 1. Says, “Chris Mack and his staff have elevated this program to where they’re legit. They’re not a Top 10 team, but they are a Top 20 team."
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) February 9, 2019
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