57 minutes ago, Randy Parker said:

No sir.  The NCAA doesn't arrange those kinds of matchups on purpose.  I've heard them say that many times.

That is why I said it would “magically” just work out that way, because they would never do such a thing on purpose lol. 

As of this morning:

1.  Houston (#14 Offense, #1 Defense)
2.  Connecticut (#2 Offense, #10 Defense)
3.  Purdue (#1 Offense, #20 Defense)
4.  Arizona (#7 Offense, #12 Defense)
5.  Auburn (#10 Offense, #7 Defense)
6.  Tennessee (#25 Offense, #3 Defense)
7.  North Carolina (#22 Offense, #5 Defense)
8.  Duke (#8 Offense, #24 Defense)
9.  Iowa State (#70 Offense, #2 Defense)
10. Illinois (#4 Offense, #76 Defense)

UK is #17, UC is #39, & Xavier is #55

The final rankings entering the tournament:

1.  Connecticut
2.  Houston
3.  Purdue
4.  Auburn
5.  Iowa State
6.  Arizona

- Again, 18 of the last 21 NCAA Champions were ranked in the Top 6 of KenPom entering the tournament.

2 hours ago, Randy Parker said:

The final rankings entering the tournament:

1.  Connecticut
2.  Houston
3.  Purdue
4.  Auburn
5.  Iowa State
6.  Arizona

- Again, 18 of the last 21 NCAA Champions were ranked in the Top 6 of KenPom entering the tournament.

The 3 teams that were not in the top 6 - who were they and what were they in KenPom?

53 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

The 3 teams that were not in the top 6 - who were they and what were they in KenPom?

2014 UConn was 40th*. I couldn't find the others. I assume the other UConn team from 2011 and probably Syracuse from 2003?

*I was looking at something different because 25th is later referenced.

42 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

The 3 teams that were not in the top 6 - who were they and what were they in KenPom?

2002 - Maryland (#3)
2003 - Syracuse (#20)
2004 - Connecticut (#5)
2005 - North Carolina (#2)
2006 - Florida (#6)
2007 - Florida (#2)
2008 - Kansas (#1)
2009 - North Carolina (#3)
2010 - Duke (#2)
2011 - Connecticut (#16)
2012 - Kentucky (#1)
2013 - Louisville (#2)
2014 - Connecticut (#25)
2015 - Duke (#6)
2016 - Villanova (#5)
2017 - North Carolina (#3)
2018 - Villanova (#2)
2019 - Virginia (#1)
2021 - Baylor (#2)
2022 - Kansas (#3)
2023 - Connecticut (#4)

https://247sports.com/article/the-profile-of-an-ncaa-tournament-champion-51629473/

That’s not to say that just anybody can win it though. The worst team by comparison to its peers to win it all since 2002 was UConn in 2014, a team that was ranked 25th in KenPom heading into the NCAA Tournament. And only three times since 2002 has a team not ranked in KenPom’s top 6 won it all: 2003 Syracuse (20th) and UConn in 2011 (16th) and 2014 (25th).

So if somebody gives you a pick of KenPom’s top six teams or the field, most years it’s probably a pretty solid bet to take the top 6. 

 

If UK doesn't make a run in that bracket that will shock me. Guys have to improve their "brand" on the big stage. UK seems to get the Horizon League champions on a regular basis.

The bracket really favors them until a possible elite 8 match-up with Houston.  No reason the Cats shouldn't get there.

12 hours ago, 9068 said:

UK seems to get the Horizon League champions on a regular basis.

Guess its cause unless you're shipped to the West, they try to keep it regional?

1 minute ago, REALSPORT said:

The bracket really favors them until a possible elite 8 match-up with Houston.  No reason the Cats shouldn't get there.

People don't realize that a healthy Marquette is a strong team, do they?

42 minutes ago, REALSPORT said:

The bracket really favors them until a possible elite 8 match-up with Houston.  No reason the Cats shouldn't get there.

Are you kidding? I'll give you a big reason: they are putrid on defense. UK's top two draft talents are their worst on-ball defenders and a 4 mph wind could knock their post-defenders off the block. It's been a literal expressway to the rim half the season. I am looking at the opposite from all these "UK should make a run or the Final Four" people. I believe the other (potential) opponents, beginning Thursday, genuinely believe this team can be had if you bring the physicality to UK and licking their chops for a chance to play them.

And I am not saying Kentucky can't find its way through the bracket, but this team has given zero evidence it can manufacture enough stops. But it is the NCAA tournament, the most exciting tournament for all the wrong reasons, most notably the uncertainty of it all. Putting 18-20-year-old kids in weird arenas at weird times of the day, madness happens. In short, who knows?

8 minutes ago, bugatti said:

And I am not saying Kentucky can't find its way through the bracket, but this team has given zero evidence it can manufacture enough stops. But it is the NCAA tournament, the most exciting tournament for all the wrong reasons, most notably the uncertainty of it all. Putting 18-20-year-old kids in weird arenas at weird times of the day, madness happens. In short, who knows?

Lots of times we see big players step up and make big plays in these settings. Thankfully we got a couple big time players and hopefully they shine when it matters most!

31 minutes ago, bugatti said:

Are you kidding? I'll give you a big reason: they are putrid on defense. UK's top two draft talents are their worst on-ball defenders and a 4 mph wind could knock their post-defenders off the block. It's been a literal expressway to the rim half the season. I am looking at the opposite from all these "UK should make a run or the Final Four" people. I believe the other (potential) opponents, beginning Thursday, genuinely believe this team can be had if you bring the physicality to UK and licking their chops for a chance to play them.

The advantage they have in their bracket is that their opponents have low defensive efficiency numbers as well.  Oakland, Texas Tech and NC State all have low defensive numbers.  UK's offense should carry then early.  Marquette is like 60th in defensive efficiency.  They can definitely beat UK but they aren't an elite defensive team.  Houston is elite.  I don't see UK winning that game.