In Joe Lunardi’s first 2025–26 Bracketology release for ESPN, the **Kentucky Wildcats** find themselves positioned as a **No. 3 seed** in the South Region — an early vote of confidence for a team in transition under second-year head coach Mark Pope.
Lunardi’s projection has Kentucky facing **No. 14 seed Chattanooga** in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. A potential second-round clash with either **Louisville** or **Arkansas** looms — a tantalizing prospect, especially considering the storied in-state rivalry with the Cardinals.
Kentucky earned this seeding based on a strong close to last season, finishing 21-10 overall with a 10-8 record in the SEC. Notably, the Wildcats racked up eight wins over top-15 ranked teams, building a résumé that impressed analysts despite early inconsistencies.
With the departure of John Calipari, expectations were uncertain heading into the Mark Pope era. However, key offseason moves — including several impact transfers and a promising recruiting class highlighted by **five-star guard Jasper Johnson** — have sparked optimism for a deeper tournament run next season.
Lunardi’s South Region projection also includes powerhouses like **Auburn**, **Houston**, **Marquette**, and **Michigan State**, making for a stacked and unpredictable path to the Final Four.
While it’s still early in the offseason, this projection serves as a strong endorsement of Kentucky’s rebuilding efforts — and a signal that the Wildcats could be poised for a national resurgence.
