KenPom predicts the outcome of the next five Kentucky games

Stephen Samraby:Steve Samra02/10/22

SamraSource

Kentucky has been one of the hottest teams in the nation over the last month. Highlighted by their huge victory over Kansas in Lawrence, the Wildcats have climbed up into the top-five in the rankings this week.

On the season thus far, Kentucky possesses a record of 20-4. Within the SEC, the Wildcats are 9-2. They were defeated by the LSU Tigers in their first game of 2022, and the No. 1 ranked Auburn Tigers at Auburn Arena.

Moving forward, the Wildcats have their sights set on being a strong contender come March. However, there’s plenty of time before that for John Calipari and company. As for the immediate future, here’s what the KenPom projections say about the next five games Kentucky games.

KenPom predictions for next five Kentucky games:

Sat. Feb 12: Florida at No. 5 Kentucky

  • Predicted winner: Kentucky
  • Predicted final score: 77-64
  • Kentucky chance of victory: 89%

Tue. Feb. 15: No. 5 Kentucky at No. 19 Tennessee

  • Predicted winner: Tennessee
  • Predicted final score: 71-70
  • Kentucky chance of victory: 49%

Sat. Feb 19: Alabama at No. 5 Kentucky

  • Predicted winner: Kentucky
  • Predicted final score: 84-74
  • Kentucky chance of victory: 82%

Wed. Feb 23: LSU at No. 5 Kentucky

  • Predicted winner: Kentucky
  • Predicted final score: 73-64
  • Kentucky chance of victory: 79%

Sat. Feb 26: No. 5 Kentucky at Arkansas

  • Predicted winner: Kentucky
  • Predicted final score: 77-72
  • Kentucky chance of victory: 68%

More on Kentucky Wildcats, John Calipari

As John Calipari looks to bring another championship to Kentucky, star recruit Shaedon Sharpe — the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2021 recruiting class — was officially ruled out for the remainder of his true freshman season on Monday. Calipari elected to save him for his potential return to Kentucky next season.

“After talking with Shaedon and his parents, we want to end all of the speculation by again saying that he will not play for us this season,” Calipari said Monday in a tweet. “He is committed to bettering himself and our team in practice this year and being better prepared to lead us next season.”

Sharpe, an 18-year-old true freshman, graduated early from high school and decided to enroll early at Kentucky. As a result, the talented shooting guard joined the Wildcats team over winter break. But Calipari didn’t feel like he was ready to make his in-game debut.

Even without Sharpe, Kentucky has been one of the strongest teams in the nation. The Wildcats can go as far as they want in 2022.