It’s not even May, but ESPN’s Joe Lunardi is already diving into his first Bracketology predictions for the 2026 NCAA Tournament. For Big Blue Nation, the news is promising: the Kentucky Wildcats are projected as a No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region.
In Lunardi’s early bracket, Kentucky is matched against No. 15 seed North Alabama in the first round, with the game set in St. Louis. Should the Wildcats advance, they’ll face the winner of No. 7 seed Illinois and No. 10 seed Creighton. The potential matchup against Illinois adds intrigue, as the Illini roster now includes former Kentucky commit Zvonimir Ivisic and his brother, Tomislav, along with Andrej Stojakovic, whom Kentucky head coach Mark Pope pursued in the offseason.
Potential Path to the Final Four
If Kentucky clears the first weekend, they’ll likely head to Chicago for the Sweet 16, where No. 3 seed Iowa State or No. 6 seed Missouri could be waiting. The Elite Eight could bring even tougher competition, with top-seeded Purdue, No. 4 Auburn, or No. 5 Louisville as potential opponents. A Cats vs. Cards showdown for a Final Four spot would electrify fans on both sides of the rivalry.
The Final Four is scheduled for Indianapolis, a venue that hasn’t been kind to Kentucky in recent years. However, a strong postseason run could turn the Circle City into the site of redemption for the Wildcats.
SEC Representation
Kentucky isn’t the only SEC team earning respect in Lunardi’s projections. Florida and Tennessee are slotted as No. 3 seeds, contributing to the SEC’s impressive total of 13 teams in the initial field. The conference’s depth underscores the high level of competition Kentucky will face throughout the season.
Early Optimism for 2025-26
The Wildcats are also ranked in the top 15 of multiple way-too-early rankings, with ESPN placing them at No. 10 and CBS Sports slotting them at No. 11. Much of the optimism stems from a talented roster that includes returning guard Otega Oweh, promising commits like Jayden Quaintance and Jasper Johnson, and potential transfer additions.
While there are 339 days until Selection Sunday, the excitement is already building. With high expectations and a challenging road ahead, Kentucky fans can look forward to another thrilling season under Mark Pope’s leadership. The Wildcats’ journey to Indianapolis starts now.
