Kentucky good with NCAA draw, Louisville not so much

Selection Sunday left the teams-coaches of greatest interest to us here in the Bluegrass with some mixed feelings as the NCAA Tournament draw was revealed.

Kentucky as a three seed has a path in the Midwest Region to the Sweet 16, and that depends on the health of the Wildcats.

Louisville as an eight seed wasn’t great, especially with top South seed Auburn looming as a second-game foe, even if that all is in Rupp Arena.

St. John’s as a two seed in the West is a good place for Rick Pitino’s good team. Pitino could end up facing John Calipari and No. 10 seed Arkansas in a second game.

Those were the main highlights for college basketball fans around here.

Louisville essentially tips off the NCAA Tournament against Creighton with the first game Thursday at 11:15 a.m. CT. That game will be at Rupp Arena.

Kentucky will tipoff against Troy on Friday at 6:10 p.m. CT in Milwaukee.

Kentucky’s team had a watch party in a club area of Rupp Arena on Sunday. The most positive thing out of that was to see Lamont Butler talk about getting another chance in the NCAA Tournament.

Butler’s shoulder has been a constant problem over the last month or more, and him not getting hurt again is a major worry now that it’s lose and go home time.

Butler has some extensive NCAA Tournament history, he made a buzzer beater for San Diego State in the 2023 Final Four. Butler has played in the NCAA Tournament several times.

“I’m just excited to go out there and have the opportunity to reach a Final Four and win a national championship at Kentucky, I’m really excited,” Butler said Sunday.

Since he has NCAA experience at the highest level, what advice will Butler give to his UK teammates.

“Just enjoy the moment,” Butler said. “March Madness is something we all dream of, not to be in a panic, play free, play fun, play for each other. That’s going to be my main message. One thing that’s similar is the bond we had with each other. At San Diego State we had grown so close together. Here at Kentucky we really are brothers now. I think it’s just the win or go home, I don’t want to go home, I don’t want to lose.”

Kentucky coach Mark Pope said he thought the draw went well for the Wildcats.

“It broke down pretty much with what we expected,” Pope said in Lexington. “With this group this is our only season. We’re just desperate to make this last as long as we can.”

Having Butler healthy is a big plus for Kentucky because of his NCAA experience.

“Lamont, he’s done it, he’s been in first round games, he’s been in Final Four games,” Pope said.

Pope was asked about a possible Pitino vs. Calipari matchup in the second game. Arkansas would have to beat Kansas in the opening NCAA game to make that happen.

“If I know anything about Coach P, he wants all the smoke, all the smoke, bring it,” Pope said.

Louisville coach Pat Kelsey had a little smoke showing himself when giving his thoughts on being in an 8-9 game.

“In my opinion, we should be playing a 12 or an 11 seed,” Kelsey said. “Every metric under the sun that you look at and all the experts. NET 23 which would put us in a possible five-seed range, KenPom a 23.

“If anything to a competitor, to our guys, and to me, it puts a little fire in your belly and gives you a little added chip on your shoulder.”

Topics

2025 NCAA Tournament winners and losers from bracket reveal: Who got the best and worst draws?

A few teams will love their March Madness draw. Others? Not so much.
CBS Sports - 11h
How Louisville and Kentucky basketball experience compare to recent NCAA Tournament teams

Louisville and Kentucky basketball are top-10 in KenPom's experience rankings. How do they compare to successful NCAA Tournament teams of years past?
Yahoo Sports - 5h
How Louisville, Kentucky baseball spending compares with national powers, CWS teams

How does Louisville, UK baseball spending compare with other top programs? How much do they spend on their teams? How much do they pay head coaches?
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Gottlieb on USC's NCAA tourney draw: 'I don't like being disrespected'

Lindsay Gottlieb acknowledged it herself, that she's not usually so "agitated," but she couldn't hide those feelings Sunday as her USC women's basketball team learned its NCAA tournament draw. The ...
Yahoo Sports - 9h
Good Morning, Illini Nation: NCAA seeding implications

Mar. 14—Illinois' opportunity to improve its NCAA tournament seeding will continue today. Beating Iowa and adding another Quad II win to their résumé didn't do much for the Illini. They entered ...
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Arsenal's Saliba: I've not been so good this season

Arsenal defender William Saliba has admitted he has "not been so good" this season and said he needs to demand more of himself to help the club win silverware this season.
ESPN - 5d
Nebraska to play Louisville in NCAA Tournament

The Nebraska women's basketball team is taking part in March Madness. The Cornhuskers will play the Louisville Cardinals in Friday's first round.
Yahoo Sports - 5h
Three takeaways from MSU hoops' draw in NCAA Tournament

Check out our three takeaways from the Spartans' draw in the NCAA Tournament
Yahoo Sports - 13h
Where Louisville basketball’s 2025 NCAA Tournament resume stands for March Madness

Here’s where Louisville basketball bracketology and predictions stand on Selection Sunday, when the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Kentucky vs Liberty game time set for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener

What time does Kentucky basketball play Liberty in Women's March Madness? Here’s the game time for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.
Yahoo Sports - 11h
Louisville a No. 8, Clemson a No. 5 in NCAA Tournament? Cards fans react

Louisville basketball will play its first NCAA Tournament game since 2019 in Lexington, but fans aren't happy about the Cardinals' seeding.
Yahoo Sports - 15h
Louisville vs Nebraska game time set for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener

What time does Louisville women’s basketball play Nebraska in March Madness? Here’s the game time for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.
Yahoo Sports - 11h
Kentucky vs Liberty prediction in March Madness: Prediction for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener

It’s Kentucky vs Liberty in the first round of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Here’s our prediction for the March Madness basketball game.
Yahoo Sports - 12h
Louisville basketball vs Creighton prediction: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament first round?

It’s Louisville Cardinals vs Creighton Bluejays to begin March Madness. Here’s our prediction for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.
Yahoo Sports - 11h
American Promise joins Kentucky Derby prospects

The Kentucky Derby is just six weeks from Saturday, and there's still much to be decided about the 20-horse field. But American Promise all but claimed a spot with a victory in Saturday's Virginia ...
Yahoo Sports - 43m
Mark Pope's first season with Kentucky basketball will be defined by 1 thing: NCAA success

Mark Pope's first season guiding Kentucky, his alma mater, always will be viewed through the prism of how the Wildcats fare in the NCAA Tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Why was Kentucky basketball freshman Trent Noah missing from NCAA Tournament watch party?

Kentucky basketball freshman forward Trent Noah wasn't in attendance for the team's NCAA Tournament watch party Sunday. Why was Noah absent from it?
Yahoo Sports - 14h
Kentucky vs Troy schedule, TV channel: How to watch March Madness NCAA Tournament game

What time is the Kentucky vs Troy NCAA Tournament game? How to watch Wildcats vs Trojans March Madness game on Friday, March 21 on TV.
Yahoo Sports - 10h
What Tom Izzo had to say about Michigan State's NCAA Tournament draw, match-up with Bryant

What Tom Izzo had to say about Michigan State's NCAA Tournament draw
Yahoo Sports - 13h
Why is Donnarumma so good at saving penalties?

Gianluigi Donnarumma saved two of the three penalties he faced during Paris St-Germain's shootout win against Liverpool.
BBC News - 5d
How to buy Kentucky women’s basketball tickets for 2025 March Madness

Want to buy tickets for the Kentucky women’s basketball NCAA Tournament 2025 opener vs. Liberty? Here’s how, including prices for March Madness.
Yahoo Sports - 13h
Analyzing and predicting MSU basketball's draw in NCAA Tournament

See where we think Michigan State will land when the NCAA Tournament bracket is revealed on Sunday
Yahoo Sports - 22h
Couch: 3 quick takes on Michigan State women's basketball's NCAA tournament draw – Harvard and perhaps N.C. State

3 quick takes on MSU women's basketball's NCAA tournament draw, beginning with Harvard and then perhaps N.C. State for a shot at the Sweet 16.
Yahoo Sports - 12h
Kentucky basketball can't hang with Alabama in SEC Tournament quarterfinal, awaits NCAA bid

Mark Pope's short-handed Kentucky basketball team was routed by Alabama on Friday in an SEC Tournament quarterfinal in Nashville.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
What will it mean to hear Louisville basketball called on Selection Sunday? 'Everything'

With Louisville basketball ending a long NCAA Tournament drought, we asked: What will hearing the Cards' name called on Selection Sunday mean to you?
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Pat Kelsey gets contract extension for leading Louisville basketball to March Madness

Pat Kelsey earned an automatic one-year contract extension for leading Louisville basketball to the NCAA Tournament in Year 1. Here's what to know.
Yahoo Sports - 16h
Newcastle celebrations are not over the top – this is why it means so much

If you do not understand what winning the Carabao Cup final means to Newcastle United, if you cannot appreciate what this moment has unleashed in a football obsessed city, maybe this is not the ...
Yahoo Sports - 2h
The M3 iPad Air Is Unsurprisingly Good

The iPad Air with M3 isn’t much different, but that shouldn’t surprise you.
Inc. - Mar. 10
Louisville basketball can't topple Duke in ACC Tournament final, awaits NCAA berth

No. 13 Louisville basketball let No. 1 Duke slip off the ropes for a second time this season, falling in the ACC championship game Saturday.
Yahoo Sports - 1d
Manchester City left outside top four as Khusanov hands Brighton a draw

This showdown of Champions League contenders ended with spoils shared so Manchester City, in fifth place, still lead Brighton, who are seventh, by a point. The draw is a rosy result for Newcastle, ...
The Guardian - 1d
Japan’s Ski Slopes Have Too Much of a Good Thing: Snow

While the country is having a banner ski season, exceptionally heavy snowfall has created challenges for resort workers.
The New York Times - Mar. 9
Caleb Love has seen plenty of Duke. And there's the potential for 1 more NCAA meeting

Caleb Love has already seen plenty of Duke in a five-year college career, even after transferring across the country from North Carolina to Arizona. “We’ve overcome so much adversity and hardship, ...
Yahoo Sports - 12h
Louisville vs. Stanford odds, prediction, time: 2025 ACC Tournament picks, March 13 best bets by proven model

SportsLine's model just revealed its NCAA Basketball picks for the No. 13 Louisville Cardinals vs. Stanford Cardinal in the 2025 ACC Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday
CBS Sports - 3d
Louisville vs Creighton officially set. Here’s time, date for March Madness Round of 64 game

What time does Louisville basketball play Creighton in March Madness Round of 64? Here’s the time, date for 2025 NCAA Tournament opener.
Yahoo Sports - 14h
Why Louisville can make a deep run in our 2025 March Madness bracket predictions

Can Louisville basketball reach the Final Four? Our 2025 March Madness bracket predictions show how the Cards can make a run in the NCAA Tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 10h
Takeaways from Wisconsin basketball’s NCAA Tournament seed, draw, opponent and location

The Wisconsin Badgers officially received their 2025 NCAA Tournament seed, opponent, location, and schedule on Sunday.
Yahoo Sports - 15h
The defining moments of Maro Itoje’s England captaincy so far

From one England captain to another. Maro Itoje sent a long video message to Colin McFadyean on Tuesday. McFadyean knows what it is like to lead England against Wales, having done so in the 11-11 ...
Yahoo Sports - 3d
Kenny Pickett trade grades: Browns ace deal for former first-round QB; Eagles get so-so mark for odd move

Cleveland upgraded its QB depth without giving up much
CBS Sports - 6d
Michigan earns No. 5 seed, draws UC San Diego in NCAA Tournament

Fresh off their 2025 Big Ten Tournament championship, the Michigan Wolverines have learned their NCAA Tournament assignment for the 2025 Big Dance. U-M has officially earned a No. 5 seed, and the ...
Yahoo Sports - 16h