[Cactus Jack]

Auburn pulled away from Mississippi State late. This probably places them on Kentucky's seed line, if not propel them past the Cats. Right now, Kentucky, Alabama, and Auburn are all projected as #4 seeds, and while I think that was accurate at the time it was posted, I do wonder if the committee gives three of four #4 seeds to the same conference.

Wisconsin upset Purdue. I don't think Purdue is the third best team in the country, but I see why they're ranked where they are; still there's nothing impressive about their three losses coming into the day (Northwestern, Nebraska, and Ohio State). Wisconsin has been ranked as high as #6 overall this season, and came into today on the 5-line. I don't see them getting any higher than a high-5 (their title game is Sunday), but it this one probably moves them up in the rankings and gives UK a better chance at avoiding them.

Illinois and Nebraska play next, and a 'Husker win wouldn't hurt Kentucky. In the morning update of Bracketology, the Illini were sitting on the 3-line.

Colorado ended up beating Washington State last night and gets Oregon in the Pac-12 final, so that cut off any chance of them getting into Kentucky's range. Colorado is probably in regardless, but an Oregon win steals a bid.


Other remaining games include: Houston vs. Iowa State, UConn vs. Marquette, North Carolina vs. NC State. Save the Wolfpack, all are firmly ahead of Kentucky and I don't see any outcome that could push them behind the 'Cats.

Other games to watch: San Diego State (-1.5) vs. New Mexico, Florida Atlantic (-14.5) vs. Temple, and Florida (-2.5) vs. Texas A&M.


Bottom Line:
At best, Kentucky is looking at being the lowest 3 seed. If you're holding out hope for this, root against Illinois. Even if the Illini were to lose, the 'Cats could still end up as a 4 seed. There's a slight chance that Kentucky drops to the 5-line, but I don't know that it's really worth discussing at this point-- if this happens, the conversation will be centered on how badly we got screwed by the committee.