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A Closer Look at the Midwest Region

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On Sunday, as Duke was put into a cakewalk, Kentucky was selected as the two seed in the toughest region of the bracket, the Midwest Region. Now being called the “Blue-blood Region”, the Midwest hosts the three most winningest programs in college basketball history in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Kansas.

Getting to the Final Four in this region is no easy task, lets look at the competition.

1. North Carolina Tar Heels

Record: 26-5 (16-2) NET: 7 KenPom: 6
Best win: 103-90 vs. Gonzaga, Dec. 15
Worst loss: 92-89 vs. Texas, Nov. 22
Three-pointers: 37.3% Free throws: 74.1%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Cameron Johnson 16.9 ppg; G Coby White 16.4 ppg, 4.1 apg; F Luke Maye 14.9 ppg, 10.3 rpg

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SCOUTING REPORT
Carolina ranks third in the nation in points per game (86.6 ppg) and plays at one of the fastest paces in the country. Not to mention the Tar Heels are the best rebounding team in the country (43.9 rpg). Cam Johnson has been on an absolute tear since the start of ACC play and is shooting 46.5% from deep on the season. The Tar Heels are capable of making the Final Four but they have the toughest road to the Elite Eight and could meet the Kentucky Wildcats in a rematch for a spot in Minneapolis. 

2. Kentucky Wildcats

Record: 26-5 (15-3) NET: 5 KenPom: 7
Best win: 86-69 vs. Tennessee, Feb. 16
Worst loss: 84-83 vs. Seton Hall (OT), Dec. 8
Three-pointers: 35.9% Free throws: 74.3%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: F PJ Washington 14.9 ppg, 7.5 rpg; G Tyler Herro 14.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg; G Keldon Johnson 13.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
Many threw the Wildcats out as a title contender after the 34-point loss to Duke, but the Wildcats are here and look like preseason No. 2 they were thought to be. Kentucky is a post-oriented team that crashes the boards and gets to the free throw line. With four players averaging 11 or more points, any player on any given night can step up for the Wildcats and that’s a promising sign in the NCAA tournament.

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3. Houston Cougars

Record: 29-2 (16-2) NET: 4 KenPom: 15
Best win: 85-69 at Cincinnati, March 10.
Worst loss: 73-69 at Temple, Jan. 9.
Three-pointers: 36.4% Free throws: 71.1%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Corey Davis 16.6 ppg, 2.9 apg; G Armoni Brooks 13.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg; G DeJon Jarreau 9.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
The Cougars haven’t been given enough respect all season long as a Final Four contender. Houston is a guard-oriented team that prides themselves on defense and ranks first in the country in opponent field goal percentage (36.7%). Houston led the AAC in three-point percentage (36.4%), rebounding margin (+7.9), and scoring defense (61.6 ppg). Houston is a consistent team that doesn’t beat themselves. Don’t expect Houston to be an easy out. 

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4. Kansas Jayhawks

Record: 25-9 (12-6) NET: 20 KenPom: 20
Best win: 87-81 OT vs. Tennessee, Nov. 23.
Worst loss: 65-64 at West Virginia, Jan. 19.
Three-pointers: 35.5% Free throws: 69.5%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: F Dedric Lawson 19.1 ppg, 10.6 rpg; G Devon Dotson 11.7 ppg, 3.5 apg; G Quentin Grimes 8.3 ppg, 2.0 apg

SCOUTING REPORT
The Jayhawks had a streak of 14 consecutive Big 12 championships snapped. After losing Udoka Azubuike and Lagerald Vick, things aren’t looking to great for Kansas and could be upset early. However, Dedric Lawson, Quentin Grimes, and Devon Dotson can carry this team to a battle against North Carolina.

5. Auburn Tigers

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Record: 22-9 (11-7) NET: 17 KenPom: 13
Best win: 84-80 vs. Tennessee, March 9.
Worst loss: 80-77 vs. South Carolina, Jan. 22.
Three-pointers: 37.5% Free throws: 70.5%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Bryce Brown 15.7 ppg, 2.0 rpg; G Jared Harper 15.2 ppg, 5.9 apg; F Chuma Okeke 11.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
At one point this season Auburn was ranked in the AP Top 10, that quickly changed after seven losses in the SEC. The Tigers won four straight games to end the regular season, then trampled Tennessee for the SEC Tournament Title. Guards win in March, and Auburn’s Bryce Brown and Jared Harper can make plays. The Tigers have made ten or more threes in nearly two-thirds of their games and can catch fire at any time.

6. Iowa State Cyclones

Record: 20-11 (9-9) NET: 23 KenPom: 16
Best win: 68-64 at Texas Tech, Jan. 16.
Worst loss: 90-75 at West Virginia, March 6.
Three-pointers: 36.2% Free throws: 72.8%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Marial Shayok 18.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg; G Lindell Wigginton 13.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg; G Talen Horton-Tucker 12.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg

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SCOUTING REPORT

The Cyclones are talented but are wildly inconsistent. Iowa State had lost 6 of their last 8 games before going on a run to capture the Big 12 Tournament Title. The Cyclones have five players scoring 9 or more points and have one of the most efficient offenses in the country, ranking top 10 in KenPom. It comes down to which Iowa State team shows up. 

7. Wofford Terriers

Record: 29-4 (18-0) NET: 13 KenPom: 19
Best win: 72-64 vs. Furman, Feb. 23.
Worst loss: 75-64 vs. Oklahoma, Nov. 18.
Three-pointers: 42.0% Free throws: 70.2%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Fletcher Magee 20.4 ppg; F Cameron Jackson 14.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg; G Nathan Hoover 13.2 ppg

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SCOUTING REPORT
Wofford is riding the nations longest win streak with 20 games. The Terriers are one of the best outside shooting teams in the country with the nation’s second-best three-point percentage (41.6%). Wofford is capable of lighting up any team with those kinds of shooting numbers. 

8. Utah State Aggies

Record: 25-6 (15-3) NET: 30 KenPom: 34
Best win: 81-76 vs. Nevada, March 2.
Worst loss: 78-77 vs. Fresno State, Jan. 9
Three-pointers: 35.3% Free throws: 74.7%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Sam Merrill 21.1 ppg, 5.3 apg; C Neemias Queta 11.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg; F Quinn Taylor 8.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
Making the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2011 Utah State is definitely a seed or two too low, as one of the most well-balanced teams in the country. Utah State ranks top 50 in both field goal percentage(47.4%) opponent field goal percentage (39.1%). The Aggies are far from selfish with the country’s 6th highest assist rate and crash the boards at a high rate, ranking 9th in the nation in rebounds per game (40.2 rpg)

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9. Washington Huskies

Record: 24-7 (15-3) NET: 67 KenPom: 51
Best win: 69-53 at Utah, Jan. 10
Worst loss: 76-73 at Cal, Feb. 28
Three-pointers: 34.7% Free throws: 70.1%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Jaylen Nowell 16.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg; F Noah Dickerson 12.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg; G David Crisp 12.6 ppg, 2.6 apg

SCOUTING REPORT
The Huskies have one of the best defenses in the nation, with a defensive rating of 94.9, ranking 32nd the country. Washington also ranks top in blocks (5.7 bpg) and steals (9.0 spg). The Huskies have an explosive duo in Nowell and Dickerson, in addition, Matisse Thybulle might be the best all-around defender in college basketball.

10. Seton Hall Pirates

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Record: 18-12 (9-9) NET: 6 KenPom: 55
Best win: 84-83 vs. Kentucky, Dec. 8.
Worst loss: 66-64 vs. St. Louis, Nov. 17.
Three-pointers: 32.5% Free throws: 71.5%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Myles Powell 22.6 ppg; G Myles Cale 10.4 ppg; G Quincy McKnight 9.4 ppg, 4.1 apg

SCOUTING REPORT
This season the Pirates have picked up wins against Kentucky, Maryland, Villanova, and Marquette. Finishing one game short of the Big East Tournament title, Seton Hall has been one of the hottest teams in the country. Seton Hall is led by guard Myles Powell who emerged as one of the country’s best guards and finished 14th in Division I in scoring.

11. Ohio State Buckeyes

Record: 18-13 (8-12) NET: 55 KenPom: 45
Best win: 64-56 vs. Cincinnati, Nov. 7.
Worst loss: 63-56 vs. Illinois, Feb. 14.
Three-pointers: 33.8% Free throws: 73.1%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: F Kaleb Wesson 14.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg; G C.J. Jackson 12.1 ppg; F Andre Wesson 8.5 ppg

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SCOUTING REPORT
Outside of free throw percentage (74th), Ohio State does not rank in the top 100 of any major offensive statistic. Instead, the Buckeyes pride themselves on their defense ranking top 50 in the country in opponent points allowed (66.2 ppg). The Buckeyes also rely heavily on sophomore center Kaleb Wesson, as went 0-3 without Wesson following a suspension for  “a violation of the Ohio State Athletics Department policy.” 

12. New Mexico State Aggies

Record: 27-4 (15-1). NET: 43 KenPom: 49
Best win: 83-78 vs. Utah Valley, Jan. 19.
Worst loss: 82-76 vs. Cal Baptist, Jan. 3.
Three-pointers: 32.8% Free throws: 67.5%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Terrell Brown 11.1 ppg; F Eli Chuha 10.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg; F Ivan Aurrecoechea 9.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
New Mexico State doesn’t make the three at an efficient rate but they shoot an average of 28 threes per game, ranking 8th in the country. The Aggies have a balanced scoring attack with seven players averaging six or more points. What sets the Aggies apart from most double-digit seeds is their ferocious rebounding and defense. The Aggies have a plus-8.6 rebounding margin ranking fifth in the nation and rank top 25 in opponent points allowed (64.1 ppg)

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13. Northeastern Huskies

Record: 23-10 (14-4) NET: 79 KenPom: 79
Best win: 82-74 vs. Hofstra, March 12 in the CAA final.
Worst loss: 75-72, at Towson, Jan. 24.
Three-pointers: 38.8% Free throws: 75.1%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Vasa Pusica 17.8 ppg, 4.2 apg; G Jordan Roland 14.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg; G Bolden Brace 10.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
The Huskies have one of the most efficient scorers in the country in Vasa Pusica. Pusica a senior from Serbia, shoots 84.3 percent from the foul line, 58.2 from 2-point range and 40.1 from three. Pusica’s efficient offense reflects the Northeastern offense as a whole ranking top 20 in two-point percentage (56.4%) and three-point percentage (38.8%). However, they lack size and have an inferior paint defense. The Huskies can give Kansas all they want and more.

14. Georgia State Panthers

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Record: 23-9 (13-5) NET: 121 KenPom: 111
Best win: 83-80 at Alabama, Dec. 4.
Worst loss: 77-75 at Troy, Jan. 19.
Three-pointers: 38.8% Free throws: 65.9%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G D’Marcus Simonds 18.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg; G Devin Mitchell 12.4 ppg,  2.0 rpg; F Malik Benlevi 11.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
Georgia State and Ron Hunter are back in the NCAA Tournament. We all remember Hunter’s chair-fall back in 2014 when the Panthers upset Baylor and made it to the Sweet 16 as a 14 seed. The Panthers have five players who average double-figure points and as a team shoots 38.8% from three, ranking top 20 in the country. 

15. Abilene Christian Wildcats

Record: 27-6 (14-4) NET: 155 KenPom: 145
Best win: 77-60 vs. New Orleans in the Southland Conference tournament final, March 16.
Worst loss: 61-60 at Stephen F. Austin, Jan. 23.
Three-pointers: 38.7% Free throws: 71.7%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: F Jaren Lewis 13.7 ppg, 6.2 rpg; G Payten Ricks 11.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg; G Jaylen Franklin 10.2 ppg, 4.9 apg

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SCOUTING REPORT
Head coach, Joe Golden has coached his alma mater to their first NCAA appearance since moving up to Division I in 2013. The Wildcats dismissed two key players in Jalone Friday (13.1 ppg.) and B.J. Maxwell (9.2 ppg.) from the team for “violating university policies”. However, this a formidable team that ranks top 20 in the country in three-point percentage (38.6%) and opponent points allowed (63.1 ppg)

16. Iona Gaels

Record: 17-15 (12-6) NET: 205 KenPom: 197
Best win: 81-60 vs. Monmouth in the MAAC title game, March 11.
Worst loss: 99-95 at Niagara, Jan 11.
Three-pointers: 35.1% Free throws: 74.1%
NOTABLE PLAYERS: G Rickey McGill 15.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 5.0 apg; G-F E.J. Crawford, 17.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg; F Tajuan Agee 13.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT
Iona is making its fourth straight NCAA appearance after winning the MAAC title for the fourth straight year. While this team has a fun and explosive offense, the Gaels are very bad on the defensive end ranking in the bottom 100 in opponent three-point percentage (36.8%) and points allowed (75.6)

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Men's Basketball

Can Kentucky Take Down Tennessee for the Third Time This Season? Here is What History Says

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Kentucky Wildcats guard Koby Brea (4) shoots the ball over Tennessee Volunteers.
Jordan Prather | IMAGN

The Kentucky Wildcats will face-off with the Tennessee Volunteers for the third time this season in the Sweet Sixteen, where Kentucky won each of the first two matchups. 

Head Coach Mark Pope and the heart-filled ‘Cats will look to beat Tennessee for the third time in a single season for the first time since 2005.

While previewing the game, Pope had nothing but nice things to say about the rival Volunteers. 

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“If we really parse details, there’s certainly the emotional advantage of winning two that you feel like you know you can,” said Pope. “This is a great Tennessee team. It’s one of the top teams in the country. It’s the best defensive team in the country.” 

Pope, frankly, is right. The No. 2 seed rivals allow only 62.9 points per game, ranking eighth in the nation and hold one of the best defensive efficiency ratings in the nation. 

Although these stats haven’t really translated against the Wildcats this season, when it’s March, everything goes out of the door. 

It’s hard to beat a team three times. We know it, and legends have admitted it.

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North Carolina vs. Duke (2024-25) 

North Carolina’s Dean Smith wrote in his memoir that “It was extremely hard to beat a good team three times in a row.” Look at his Tar Heels recently, who faced off against the Duke Blue Devils three times this season. Duke, by a landslide, was the better team all year, hinting at why the Cooper Flagg led team is still dancing.

Duke beat the Tar Heels by double-digit points in both of the regular season matchups, but in the ACC Tournament, no matter what the skill gap was, North Carolina outscored Duke 47-29 in the second half and would only lose by three points. 

When comparing a team who had lost only three games to one who had lost 13, you would think the score would be a landslide again. However, it’s hard to beat a team three times. 

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Kentucky vs Auburn (2018-19) 

The Wildcats have experienced this downfall first hand in their last trip to the Elite Eight, where the No. 5 seed Auburn Tigers defeated them 77-71 in a heartbreaker. 

Kentucky had defeated the Tigers on the road 82-80 on Jan. 19 that year and would go on to blow them out by 27 points inside of Rupp Arena on Feb. 23.

Tyler Herro and Reid Travis would only combine for 16 points in the Elite Eight loss and Kentucky was sent home. 

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Are we making some connections here? 

Michigan State vs. Maryland (2021-22) 

After Michigan State defeated Maryland on March 6 by a score of 77-67, this win would ironically, set up a rematch in the Big Ten Tournament the same week. 

After scraping by on the road earlier in the season by two points, and now beating them once again, Head Coach Tom Izzo would comment on the topic, stating “Now you’ve got to beat a team three times, but it is what it is.”

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The No. 7 seed Spartans would scrape by once again, this time, by four points and would advance in the tournament.


Tonight, at approximately 7:39 p.m. ET, the ball will go in the air inside of Lucas Oil Stadium, and for 40 minutes, nothing else matters except surviving and advancing. 

However, that day old adage will linger in every Kentucky fan’s mind. 

“Can we actually beat Tennessee a third time?” 

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Men's Basketball

Andrew Carr on Kentucky Battling Adversity: “We’ve Gone Through a Lot This Year… It’s Certainly Made Us Stronger”

In the face of multiple injuries and ever-mounting pressure, Andrew Carr insists that the ‘Cats have only been made stronger.

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entucky Wildcats forward Andrew Carr (7) reacts during the second half in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Benny Sieu | Imagn

All throughout the 2024-25′ season, there were innumerable intervals at which things seemed to be taking a turn for the worse for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats. Between consistent and recurring injuries sustained across the team’s core rotation to questions of bench strength, road resilience and minutes attribution, the horizon has been hazy more often than not.

And yet, the Wildcats are slated to play in Indianapolis this weekend in their first Sweet 16 since 2019. How is that?

Well, according to starting forward Andrew Carr, the hardships he and the team have endured only worked to make them stronger. “We’ve gone through a lot this year,” he said, following the Round of 32 win over six-seed Illinois. “It’s certainly made us stronger.”

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Carr, who finished with four points, six rebounds and two assists in the 84-75 victory, was among the team’s question marks earlier in the season, missing an extended period with back spasms and only returning in slowly increasing spurts.

Since his return, he’s played a crucial, starting role in the ‘Cats late-season run, winning six of their last seven games on the way to a second weekend appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

“I don’t think we’d be as successful as we are right now if we didn’t go through all those things.”

Where Kentucky would be given a fully healthy roster right now is a tantalizing question; though, to Carr’s point, it simply isn’t worth asking. The ‘Cats left to scratch are doing so at a higher level than ever.

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Their aforementioned strength will be tested once more on Friday as Kentucky faces off against the Tennessee Volunteers for the third time this season, looking to complete the season sweep and advance to the Elite Eight.

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Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Tennessee NCAAT: TV/Streaming Info, Preview, and Betting Odds/Predictions

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entucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00) goes to the basket against Tennessee Volunteers.
Jordan Prather | IMAGN

How sweet it is, as the Kentucky Wildcats are back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019.

This week, they are headed to Indianapolis for an opportunity to advance to the Final Four, where the Wildcats will take on a familiar foe, the Tennessee Volunteers. Having swept the regular season series, Kentucky can certainly win, but it is difficult to beat a team three times.

The Volunteers won their opening rounds in Lexington against Wofford and UCLA with relative ease to advance to this week and are in the Sweet 16 for a third straight season.

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Let’s take a look at the matchup.

Contain Chaz Lanier

Chaz Lanier is and has been Tennessee’s most dangerous offensive weapon this season. On the season, Lanier averages more than 18 points per game on 41% shooting from 3. To start the NCAA Tournament, Lanier has been on a burner, scoring 49 points on 55% from deep.

However, you wouldn’t know that just by watching his two performances against Kentucky. In those two games, his averages dropped significantly to 12.5 points per game on 17.6% shooting from 3.

Otega Oweh and Koby Brea have done an excellent job at running him off the 3-point line and forcing him to try and make plays going toward the rim, which he struggles with. They will need to continue to do the same on Friday, and they will even have a more confident Collin Chandler to assist.

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Shoot Better Than 38% from 3

Kentucky’s 3-point percentage has a direct correlation to their winning percentage.

  • When shooting better than 30% from deep: 21-5, 80% win percentage
  • When shooting worse than 30% from deep: 3-6, 33% win percentage

The Wildcats shot 50% in each of their two games against Tennessee this season, despite the Volunteers having the third-best 3-point defense in the country. Can Kentucky sustain that level of shooting?

It will be difficult to reach 50% from 3 as they did in the first two games against the Vols, but the Cats have shot 38.5% and 38.1% in the first two games of the NCAA Tournament.

Shoot 38%, and Kentucky will have a good chance of advancing.

Win the Turnover Battle

After a five game stretch of turning the ball over 12 or more times from mid-February to early March, Kentucky has significantly improved in that area.

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Since the Auburn loss on March 1st, the Wildcats have turned the ball over more than 10 times just once: The SEC Tournament against Alabama. Lamont Butler was out for that game, proving just how valuable his presence is.

Kentucky has not just been taking better care of the ball, but they have been generating more turnovers. They are averaging nearly nine steals per game, including a season-high 14 against Illinois.

As the most efficient offense, the Cats cannot afford to give the possession advantage against the inconsistent offense of Tennessee.

Make Free Throws

61%. That is Kentucky’s free throw percentage from the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, going 22/36 from the charity stripe.

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Simply, they have to shoot better from the line. Kentucky has lost multiple close Tournament games in the past for this reason.

Opposing Players to Watch

G Chaz Lanier, 6-4, 199 lbs

  • 18.1 PPG (5th in SEC)
  • 41.0% 3P (3rd in SEC)
  • 3.3 3PM per game (leads SEC)

G Zakai Zeigler, 5-9, 171 pounds

  • 13.7 PPG
  • 7.4 APG (1st in SEC, 5th nationally)
  • 2.0 SPG (3rd in SEC)

F Igor Milicic, 6-10, 225 lbs

  • 9.7 PPG
  • 6.8 RPG (10th in SEC)
  • 46.9% FG

Kentucky Basketball vs. Tennessee Volunteers

Time: 7:39 PM ET on March 28th, 2025
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana
TV Channel: TBS/TruTV
Announcers: Andrew Catalon, Steve Lappas, and Evan Washburn will call the action.
Online Stream: Sling TV, NCAA March Madness Live, and the NCAA March Madness Live app
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens will have the call on the UK Sports Radio Network. You can listen on mobile devices with the Varsity Network app.
Replay: Check local listings on CBS Sports Network and March Madness Live for a condensed replay.
Rosters: UK | UT
Stats to Know: UK | UT
KenPom: UK | UT
Team Sheet: UK | UT

Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook has Tennessee favored by 4.5 points with an over/under of 144.5. As far as the metrics go, they give Kentucky about a 1 in three chance to advance to the Elite Eight. BartTorvik is the most confident in the Cats, giving them a 39% chance at victory. ESPN is close behind at 36.9%, followed by KenPom at 35%, DRatings at 32%, and EvanMiya at 31.1%.

Predictions: BartTorvik 74-71 is the only analytic going with a one-score loss. KenPom (76-72) and Haslametrics (75-71) are going with a four-point loss. DRatings (82-76) and EvanMiya (77-71) project the largest margin of defeat at six points. Why not Kentucky? Why not advance to the Elite Eight? Let’s keep the good vibes rolling. I’m going with a 76-71 victory, Kentucky!

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Send us your Kentucky vs. Tennessee score predictions in the comments section!

Go CATS!

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

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