Kentucky Wildcats’ March Madness First-Round Path Set

Despite their SEC Tournament woes, the Wildcats secured their spot in the NCAA Tournament and have landed a No. 3 seed, drawing a first-round matchup against the Troy Trojans. The seeding reflects a season filled with highs and lows, but with a fully available roster, Kentucky remains a dangerous team no matter where they are placed in the bracket.

One of the biggest boosts for the Wildcats is the return of point guard Lamont Butler, whose absence was felt in the crushing loss to Alabama. Without him, Kentucky simply ran out of gas, struggling to keep up and showing little resistance in the second half. Now, with Butler back in the lineup and a chance to reset, the Wildcats have a renewed opportunity to make their run.

Another key factor? Otega Oweh. After a cold shooting performance against Alabama, Kentucky will look to him to regain his scoring touch when it matters most. If there’s any silver lining to this season’s rollercoaster, it’s that Kentucky has seen it all—injuries, lineup changes, adversity at every turn. Nothing will catch them off guard.

Now, with their March Madness path set, the Wildcats have one job: survive and advance. The battle starts now.