Monday Quickies: Road to Minneapolis Edition

We now know Kentucky’s path to the 2019 NCAA Final Four in Minneapolis.

Kentucky drew the 2-seed in the Midwest Region, opening in Jacksonville against Abilene Christian in the same region with North Carolina.

Kentucky missed out on the Louisville region in a move that wasn’t too surprising following Saturday’s loss to Tennessee. They also missed out on opening in Columbus, Ohio, which could also be attributed to the loss since the Vols took the 2-seed in the South Region and will open up play in Columbus.

Kentucky’s road will involve beating Abilene Christian and then facing off with a hot-shooting Wofford team or a rematch with Seton Hall in the Round of 32. If Kentucky can avoid an upset in Jacksonville, they’ll head to Kansas City where they will likely face off against Houston or Iowa State.

The bracket certainly isn’t a “Murderer’s Row” as we have seen it in the past and all in all, I think the Selection Committee did a pretty good job of not overloading one bracket while making another a simple cakewalk. The West is probably the easiest region again, but Michigan, Texas Tech, Florida State and Syracuse could really present some problems for top seeded Gonzaga.

Now that the field is set though, it’s time to lace them up and get this run to the Final Four started.

I like this team.

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Football AND Basketball school.

We do too, Cal.

Quickies

Kentucky avoids a “Region of Death” - Courier Journal

There doesn’t seem to be an overwhelmingly difficult region this year.

Kentucky misses on Louisville regional, Columbus opening rounds - Herald Leader

Geography and bracket rules send the Cats to Jacksonville, then hopefully Kansas City.

Cal gives his thoughts about the tournament draw - Cats Pause

Cal wants his guys to take it one game at a time.

Calipari sees parallels between 2012, 2019 SEC Tournaments - KSR

Let’s hope the season ends the same way.

Key facts about Abilene Christian - Courier Journal

The other Wildcats are missing two of their top players, who were kicked off the team last month.

Players taking tunnel vision approach to tournament - Cats Pause

Kentucky can’t be caught looking past Abilene Christian.

Seven Kentuckians (and more) to watch in the NCAA Tournament - Herald Leader

Multiple Kentuckians will be involved in the NCAA Tournament.

Selection Sunday winners and losers - ESPN

It’s still very unclear how much conference tournaments matter when it comes to seeding.

More winners and losers from Selection Sunday - Yahoo

Kentucky and North Carolina both mentioned as losers.

Bracket facts for 2019 tournament - ESPN

Make sure you have your 12 over 5 upset locked in.

Who are this year’s sleepers? - Bleacher Report

Could Ja Morant and Murray State make a run?

Mock draft has Josh Allen falling to 8th overall - The Ringer

Could Josh Allen fall out of the top five?

Johnny Manziel joining Memphis AAF team - Yahoo

Johnny Football is bringing the show to Memphis.