Kentucky Wildcat News: Where UK sits in ESPN’s College Basketball Tiers

Good morning BBN!

The Kentucky Wildcats are a week away from the start of the regular season and welcoming Manhattan to Rupp Arena. They’re 2-0 so far through their exhibitions after knocking off No. 19 Texas Tech this past Friday, and with one more on deck against UCF this Wednesday, the Cats will look to make some more noise before the season officially starts.

This offseason was a roller coaster in terms of expectations, but heading into the season, the Cats are firmly in the top 25 and are in a prove-it spot in the sport this year. That is also where they landed in a recent tiers ranking done by Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf of ESPN.

The Cats came ranked in Tier III: Second Weekend Threats. They are also named alongside Alabama, Houston, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, USC, Missouri, UCLA, Vanderbilt, and Kansas.

Here is what they had to say about the Cats:

“In Lexington, Kentucky signed Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic, one of the best shooters in NCAA history (49% from 3 last season). In a make-or-break season for Mark Pope, Malachi Moreno needs to have a breakout campaign, which could also seal his NBA dreams. But can he take that next step?”

A second weekend team seems to be where a lot of people expect the Cats to land this coming year, but hopefully, they can make a deeper run than that. If so, the BBN will be ecstatic and finally get back to an Elite Eight for the first time in quite some time.

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Headlines

Kentucky’s Kenny Darby Named SEC Freshman of the Week for Third Time- UK Athletics

Darby continues to impress.

Auburn fires basketball GM—formerly of Louisville—for hiding academic info on international commit- KSR

What a story.

EvanMiya projects ceilings and floors for every SEC team in 2026-27- KSR

What do you think the prediction is?

Redshirt report: Four true freshmen play against Vanderbilt- Cats Pause

Check to see what Cats took the field.

Brennen Ward reaps what he sowed with highlight touchdown- Cats Pause

Loved to see it.

OKC’s Jalen Williams (ankle), Cason Wallace (shoulder) to undergo surgery- ESPN

A brutal blow.

Ravens’ Jesse Minter optimistic QB Lamar Jackson can return vs. Bills- ESPN

Should be a big one next week.

Robert Griffin III would ‘100% be interested’ in filling Baylor’s head coaching vacancy- CBS

This would be interesting.

Kentucky’s surprise, Arkansas’ gnarly freshmen and a colossus Duke-Kansas duel headline exhibition takeaways- CBS

Been a fun exhibition slate.

Kentucky Wildcat News: Where UK sits