Kentucky MBB moves to No. 1 seed in latest Bracketology update

Kentucky keeps on winning and the team’s chances at a one-seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament continue to grow with it.

Coming off a convincing 78-57 victory over the Florida Gators on Saturday afternoon, the Wildcats have been bumped from the two-seed line to the final one-seed in Joe Lunardi’s latest ESPN Bracketology update. Kentucky was in a “virtual tie” with Arizona a few days ago for the final one-seed, but Arizona held a slight advantage at the time. However, both schools are now considered one-seeds after Purdue was blown out by Michigan on Thursday.

Along with Kentucky and Arizona, Lunardi has Gonzaga as the top-overall one-seed with the Auburn Tigers right behind the Bulldogs. Kansas, Baylor, Purdue, and Duke, in order, come in as the two-seeds. Florida, the team that just lost to UK, is now considered one of the “Next Four Out” for next month’s March Madness.

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— Joe Lunardi (@ESPNLunardi) February 13, 2022

Lunardi predicts six SEC programs will make the tournament this season, highlighted by Auburn and Kentucky. Tennessee is also garnering interest as a potential four-seed, which is where Lunardi has them as of Sunday morning. Alabama isn’t far from reaching that status, either. Kentucky will play both the Volunteers and Crimson Tide over its next two outings.

Other notes from Lunardi include Memphis moving back into the “First Team Out” portion of the bracket following an upset win over No. 6 Houston. The Tigers can still win its conference and earn an automatic qualifying bid as a result. But with Memphis potentially earning a tourney spot alongside Houston, that bumps Oregon out of the tournament for now.

The full Bracketology update will be released on Tuesday.