Matt Norlander of CBS Sports, who ranked the Kentucky Wildcats really low earlier in the week, now has the Cats and Kansas State ranked as the 6th best game of the Sweet 16.
Keep in mind there are only 8 games.
6. No. 5 Kentucky vs. No. 9 Kansas State (South). LINE: KENTUCKY -5.5.
These programs combine for 60 Sweet 16 showings, the most of any two teams playing each other in the regional semifinals. K-State has a better program historically than it gets credit for, but when compared to UK, it’s blindingly pale. That’s just how great Kentucky has been for 60-plus years. Kentucky is a comfortable favorite here: it’s much more talented all around than K-State.
This game will be in Atlanta — “Catlanta,” as Big Blue Nation has dubbed it — so it will feel very much like a road game for Kansas State. Given Kentucky’s 3-point issues and K-State’s top-20 defense, there is a possibility of a close game in the mid-60s with two minutes to go here. Which Kevin Knox will show up? After scoring 25 points and grabbing six rebounds vs. Davidson, Knox had eight points, four fouls and four turnovers against Buffalo. Fortunately for UK, it has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is reliable night in, night out. For K-State, Dean Wade’s return is vital. The 6-10 junior has missed the past three games with a stress fracture in his foot. He said on Sunday he’s “98 percent” to play, and in fact was practicing with the team Wednesday.
I am guessing Norlander doesn’t like Kentucky for some reason.
