Kentucky started the season as a presumed No. 1 seed. With yet another top recruiting class, it seemed inevitable. However, a roller coaster season plagued by freshman mistakes, derailed the Wildcats into earning just a No. 8 seed in the tournament. Now, they will face off against the very evenly matched Kansas State for a true battle of the first round.
Kentucky started five freshman on the court this season and while that can pay off since they are all top recruits, this time inexperience was the team's downfall. Only three players on the entire Kentucky roster have ever played in the NCAA tournament before this year. Junior Brian Long and seniors Jon Hood and Jarrod Polson have combined for 10 minutes this season, making Kentucky the youngest in the field this year. The team claims they have something to prove.
Kansas State feels the same way, but they have more experience that could pay off in this first game. The team was not expected to be much this season after losing almost all of their best players to the draft last year, but the Wildcats insist they can make a run in the tournament. Where they lack in size, they make up for in physicality. Senior Shane Southwell is expected to carry the team as he appears in his fourth tournament.
Kentucky is hoping to ride their momentum created in the SEC tournament. The team reached the finals, giving the Florida Gators a run for their money, shooting 43.2 percent from the 3-point line. Julius Randle is helping lead the effort. He has 20 double-doubles on the season, pushing the offense. Last season, the lost in the first round of the NIT. This year they are hoping to avoid the same fate in the big dance.
