Men's Basketball

Where Kentucky Falls on the SEC Tournament Seeding Spectrum

Three games, including their own, control Kentucky’s ultimate destiny in next week’s SEC Tournament in Nashville.

Published

2 months ago

March 7, 2025

Lane Mills

Kentucky Wildcats playing in the SEC Tournament in Nashville

IMAGN

Although the Wildcats were able to take a big, collective breath after Ole Miss secured them a first round bye in the SEC Tournament with a win over Tennessee, their final fate is far from decided.

As they currently stand, Kentucky is slated in the eight seed in the Southeastern Conference; just ahead of Mississippi State, and right behind Texas A&M. While UK (again, thanks to Ole Miss) is unable to fall any further than their current position no matter how their last game goes, there also exists the possibility for the ‘Cats to rise as high as seed five.

What’s more? Everything comes down to three games: Ole Miss vs. Florida, Texas A&M vs. LSU, and, of course, Kentucky vs. Missouri. Where the Wildcats end up will all depend on the mixed-and-matched outcome of these three battles.

“Worst” Case Scenario

The simplest, and objectively worst possible outcome (although maintaining a bye is still pretty sweet) would only require one game to end a certain way – that is, Kentucky falling to Mizzou. In that case, no matter how the other two games turned out, the ‘Cats would be officially locked into the eight seed in which they currently sit when things kick off in Nashville.

But if Kentucky beats Missouri? Things get a lot more interesting.

Middle Ground

Given a big blue victory on Saturday, these two scenarios feel like the most plausible and encouraging options on the spread. In addition to a Wildcats win, if A&M beats LSU (expected) and Ole Miss beats Florida (unexpected), Kentucky would rise one spot to the seventh seed.

Now, swap the Ole Miss game and give Florida the win, and suddenly, the ‘Cats rise to the sixth spot. Interestingly enough, this latter outcome seems inherently more likely than the former, given Florida’s home court advantage and LSU’s consistent in-conference struggles. Either way, these two options are firmly in reach; all Kentucky has to do to guarantee a better seed than the one they have now is win.

Wishful Thinking

In the best possible scenario, as wild as it may seem Kentucky could climb as far as the fifth seed in the SEC standings. What’s even wilder? It’s more possible than the projections may lead you to believe.

If Kentucky and Florida win (again, Florida is favored), it’d all come down to LSU finding a way to upset A&M. That seems like a pipe dream, especially after what Kentucky just did to the Tigers in Rupp, but the game takes place in Baton Rouge, and it’ll be the last one there this season.

Who knows? Maybe the seniors in purple and gold will work to play spoiler and sabotage one of the better teams in their conference; after all, late-season college basketball is known for stories like these. As unlikely as it seems, you’d be remiss to count anything out after the first day of March.

Blue Gets In

As nice as it would be to jump three spots in the conference standings headed into the tournament, Nashville will be a blue-out either way, and Kentucky will have the benefit of both a first round bye and the most fans in the building on any given night out.

To boot, the team’s coach finally takes the event as seriously as the fans who travel for it do. Mark Pope said in Thursday’s press conference, “this SEC Tournament matters.” So no matter where the Wildcats end up, rest assured that Coach Pope will have the team right where they need to be headed into the weekend.

Kentucky will look to make their first splash in the tournament in years ahead of what is sure to be a historic March… for better or, perish the thought, much worse.

Men's Basketball

Lexington Native Transfer Center Commits to Kentucky: “I have always known what the blue and white means”

After a brief period of silence, Mark Pope stokes the transfer portal flames once more with the commitment of center Reece Potter.

Published

15 hours ago

May 5, 2025

Lane Mills

Miami Redhawks Athletics

Nobody in the “Bluegrass State” is saying no to a Kentucky kid… especially not if he’s seven-foot-two. Big Blue Nation, meet Reece Potter.

The latest to join Mark Pope’s ever-growing repertoire for the 2025-26 season, Potter is a junior center who spent his first two seasons of collegiate basketball with the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks.

In his sophomore season, the big averaged six points, four boards and one block per game in 17 minutes, shooting a 47/37/60 split. Potter’s sheer size and athletic potential on either end make him an intriguing prospect, especially as he enters a system built for offensively-inclined centers such as himself.

“They didn’t really have to sell me on anything,” Potter said of Kentucky, to KY Insider, “I have always known what the blue and white means being a Kentucky kid, so it’s kind of hard to say no.”

Although he’s set to join what will potentially be one of the deepest, most varied front court arsenals in the nation, Potter still brings a unique skillset to the team that could emerge to no surprise as the season develops over time. To boot, he takes the title of the tallest player on the roster. You can’t teach 7’2″.

Not including the potential return of Otega Oweh, Potter slots in as the 12th of 15 potential scholarship players on Kentucky’s incoming roster. His being a native to the Commonwealth in tandem with the especial ability he brings to the table is likely to make him a fan-favorite from day one.

You’re a Wildcat, Mr. Potter. Welcome (back) to Lexington.

Men's Basketball

Former Kentucky Guard Travis Perry Commits to Ole Miss

Kentucky native and fan-favorite guard Travis Perry has committed to Ole Miss following his surprising entry into the transfer portal.

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2025

Lane Mills

Chet White | UK Athletics

Travis Perry, a “hometown hero” for Kentucky fans, as well as the only player who remained on the roster during the transition between the John Calipari and Mark Pope tenures, has officially committed to Ole Miss.

Perry’s surprising entry into the transfer portal came just before the final hour of eligibility, throwing his name in the hat right before the door closed. Despite his fairly active role in the Wildcats’ rotation last season, with the influx of guards incoming on next year’s roster, his departure is sensible from a playing time perspective. Though the loss is still an unfortunate one, as the Big Blue Nation loves their Kentucky kids.

Ole Miss was involved in Perry’s recruitment before his initial commitment to Kentucky prior to last season, gracing his “final five” list as a team with a real chance to land the Lyon County guard. It’s apparent that, the second time around, Rebels’ coach Chris Beard wasn’t ready to lose out on him again.

“Addicted to Basketball”

Just over one month ago, during March Madness, Beard reflected on his first chase for Travis Perry, saying, “I love Travis. He’s one of those guys that’s addicted to basketball.”

“I enjoyed recruiting him, getting a relationship with his family,” Beard continued. “In recruiting, you don’t get so many more guys than you do get… But I was really happy for him that he found a great fit and played a great role as a freshman for Coach Pope’s team.”

Not even one month later, Perry would enter the transfer portal, and now the rest is history. Now, ‘Cats fans can look forward to a rendezvous with their former point guard in Rupp Arena this season, as Perry and the Rebels are set to make the trip to Lexington during conference play.

When it comes to the portal, you win some, you lose some, and you make sacrifices along the way. Perry’s loss is a harrowing reminder of what college basketball has become, as well as the shifting importance of what it means to a player to “stay home.”

Men's Basketball

Kentucky Set to Face Purdue in Exhibition Game at Rupp Arena

In another stout addition to Kentucky’s schedule, the Wildcats and Mark Pope will face Matt Painter and Purdue in an October exhibition game.

Published

4 days ago

May 2, 2025

Lane Mills

Mark Pope and Kentucky will face Purdue in October.

Anastasia Panaretos | UK Athletics

Kentucky’s non-conference schedule just keeps getting stronger, with the latest addition coming in the form of an exhibition game at Rupp Arena.

It has been officially announced that, on Friday, October 24, Matt Painter and the Purdue Boilermakers will travel to Lexington to take on Mark Pope and the ‘Cats in a preseason bout unlike any other.

Kentucky has spent the majority of recent memory spinning wheels in exhibition games against unranked, mid-major programs. Rupp Arena fills up either way, sure, but the prospect of a potential top 10 team taking one of those spots brings a whole different kind of excitement to the scene.

High Class Competition

The Boilermakers have cemented themselves as one of the greatest, most consistent powers in college basketball, making the national title game as recently as two years ago against the UConn Huskies. Despite their shortcomings in that battle, the program that Matt Painter has built in the B10 is nothing short of a powerhouse. They won their conference tournament as recently as 2023.

In addition, Purdue’s incoming class is as strong as any, coming in at #1 nationally on FOX Sports’ early top 25 rankings list. Their retaining star guard Braden Smith has much to do with that placement, no doubt. For comparison, Kentucky slots in at #8 on the list; one place below Louisville, and one above Duke.

Regardless of the exhibition, “it don’t count” nature of the game, amping up the competition before the season officially begins will benefit both squads in the long run, giving them a chance to hone their skills against another ranked, highly-touted team.

First it was the St. Johns game, and now Purdue, who join one of the most difficult growing non-conference schedules in the nation. Mark Pope and the Wildcats will have their work cut out for them, though it’s clear he wouldn’t have it any other way.