Kentucky basketball: Wildcats aren’t out of the NCAA Tournament just yet

Feb 9, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats players celebrate on the court after Kentucky Wildcats guard Brandon Boston Jr. (3) made a three-pointer during the second half of the game at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Arden Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

March is right around the corner and the Kentucky Wildcats can only get into the NCAA tournament if this happens.

Let’s spare hyperbole: This college basketball season has not gone as planned for John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats.

The Wildcats are currently 5-13 and in 11th place in the SEC and Big Blue Nation just suffered its fourth loss in a row in a heartbreaking last-second foul situation against Arkansas. Calipari doesn’t seem to be in good standing with some of the guys and some fans are questioning if it’s time to move on from the longtime great coach.

Cars skid off the road with more grace.

All of this seems to add up to the seemingly foregone conclusion that Kentucky will miss the tournament. But for as bad as things are, that isn’t the case — yet.

Kentucky can get into the NCAA tournament by winning the SEC tournament

The only way for the Wildcats to get into the 2021 NCAA Tournament is for them to win the Southeastern Conference Tournament March 10-14 in Nashville.

This may seem impossible as they are currently 4-7 in league play with wins coming against last-placed Vandy and struggling Mississippi State, but also fourth and sixth-placed teams in the conference respectively LSU and Florida. Missouri took down the Alabama Crimson Tide last week and is currently ranked 10th in the latest AP Top 25 Poll while the Tide are just behind in 11th.

What’s interesting about Kentucky is the fact that they were in a position to win a lot of games down the stretch this season, but couldn’t close them out due to inexperience and youth. The SEC tournament is typically a place where youth can inexperience don’t serve a college basketball team well and this year’s squad is not the talented Kentucky teams of the past.

But there is still a path to the madness of March. It’s now up to Kentucky to make it happen.