UK Wildcats: Kentucky Wildcats in New College Basketball Rankings

On November 18, 2024By Littum

Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball is on the rise after beating the No. 7 Duke Blue Devils at the State Farm Champions Classic last week in Atlanta.

Mark Pope’s Wildcats battled back in the second half, playing intense defense and executing on offense/making free throws down the stretch to pull out the win.

Before beating Duke, Kentucky was ranked No. 19. Now, with that win on their resume and standing at 3-0, they are expected to move up quite a bit in the AP Top-25 rankings.

CBS Sport predicts Kentucky to land at no. 9, which On3 seem to agree.

Fox Sportshowever, don’t see Kentucky crack the top-10 and instead just outside at no. 12.

KenPom has Kentucky at no. 22.

The Wildcats now have an opportunity to rattle off a handful of wins to extend their undefeated record, starting with Lipscomb, Jackson State, Western Kentucky and Georgia State before going to Clemson on Dec. 3 and beyond to Gonzaga on December 7th.

Kentucky will also have more games before SEC play begins, but Clemson Tigers and Gonzaga Bulldogs will be a good way to evaluate how good the Wildcats are in a few weeks.

Check back here throughout the day for updates on where Kentucky stands in the official rankings!