Dec 5, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jasper Johnson (2) shoots against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Kentucky came into the Gonzaga game in the top 20 of the NET Rankings. After the embarrassing 35-point loss, the Cats dropped to No. 39 in Saturday’s update. They’re back up to No. 31 today, just ahead of Indiana (No. 32), Saturday’s opponent in Rupp Arena. That makes that game a Quad 2 contest.
We’re only nine games in, but there’s no denying that Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament resume…
Dec 5, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jasper Johnson (2) shoots against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Kentucky came into the Gonzaga game in the top 20 of the NET Rankings. After the embarrassing 35-point loss, the Cats dropped to No. 39 in Saturday’s update. They’re back up to No. 31 today, just ahead of Indiana (No. 32), Saturday’s opponent in Rupp Arena. That makes that game a Quad 2 contest.
We’re only nine games in, but there’s no denying that Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament resume flat out stinks. The only wins Kentucky has are in Quad 4. The Cats are 0-4 in Quad 1 games. That’s on-paper proof of what we’ve seen on the court so far: Kentucky is very good at beating the bad teams and very bad against the good teams.
This week, Kentucky can add another Quad 4 win vs. NC Central (No. 346) and a Quad 2 win vs. Indiana (No. 32). If the Hoosiers rise just two spots in the NET, that game will bump back up to Quad 1. St. John’s is No. 21 in the NET. Since that game is at a neutral site, that game is safely in Quad 1.
Michigan is No. 1 in the NET, followed by Duke, Iowa State, Gonzaga, and Vanderbilt. The ‘Dores are now 9-0, with four Quad 1 wins. Mark Byington’s bunch is rolling. Vandy is one of five SEC teams in the top 30 of the NET: Vanderbilt (No. 5), Alabama (No. 11), Georgia (No. 15), Florida (No. 22), and Arkansas (No. 23). Ten of Kentucky’s 11 remaining Quad 1 games are against SEC opponents, starting with Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Jan. 3. So, there are plenty of opportunities to improve the resume, but that’s only if Kentucky fixes whatever is wrong, which is easier said than done.
Here is a quick look at Kentucky’s team sheet:
- Quad 1: 0-4 (11 games remaining)
- Quad 2: 0-0 (5 games remaining)
- Quad 3: 0-0 (4 games remaining)
- Quad 4: 5-0 (2 games remaining)
Quad 1: 0-4
Home: 1-30 | Neutral: 1-50 | Away: 1-75
Quad 2: 0-0
Home: 31-75 | Neutral: 51-100 | Away: 76-135
Quad 3: 0-0
Home: 76-160 | Neutral: 101-200 | Away: 136-240
Quad 4: 5-0
Home: 161-362 | Neutral: 201-362 | Away: 241-362