KenPom’s Growing Love for Kentucky: A March Surge or Fool’s Gold?
The Kentucky Wildcats are hitting their stride at just the right time, and KenPom’s analytics are taking notice. After an up-and-down season marked by defensive lapses and inconsistent performances, John Calipari’s squad is surging when it matters most. The advanced metrics now paint a picture of a team that isn’t just talented but dangerous—perhaps even championship-caliber.
So, what’s behind the Wildcats’ late-season leap in KenPom’s rankings? First, their offense has been elite all year. Kentucky boasts one of the most efficient scoring attacks in the nation, with a deadly mix of perimeter shooting, fast-break explosiveness, and strong inside play. Players like Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard have provided steady backcourt leadership, while their bigs have begun controlling the paint more effectively.
But the real shift? Defense. That’s been Kentucky’s Achilles’ heel for much of the season, but recent games suggest they’ve tightened up their rotations and rim protection. If their defensive efficiency continues to climb, the Wildcats won’t just be a trendy pick to make a deep run—they’ll be a legitimate title threat.
Still, not everyone is convinced. KenPom’s love affair with Kentucky is built on numbers, but skeptics argue that the eye test tells a different story. Can a team that struggled to get stops in January suddenly be trusted in March? Will their youth crumble under pressure, or is this simply the inevitable rise of a roster loaded with NBA talent?
With the NCAA Tournament around the corner, Kentucky has a chance to prove KenPom right—or expose the analytics as mere illusion. Either way, the Wildcats have everyone’s attention at the perfect time.
