ESPN has ranked the Sweet 16 by tradition and as I scrolled down to see who they ranked #1 I was thinking the Worldwide Leader servers were going to shut down if they didn’t have Kentucky #1.
Well, they did the right thing for their own online safety.
1. Kentucky Wildcats
NCAA tournament appearances: 59
National championships: 8 (2012, 1998, 1996, 1978, 1958, 1951, 1949, 1948)
Final Fours: 17 (Seasons above, plus 2015, 2014, 2011, 1997, 1993, 1984, 1975, 1966, 1942)
All-time program icon (player): Dan Issel
All-time program icon (coach): Adolph Rupp
NBA players (all time, active rosters): 111This has not been one of Kentucky’s consistently dominant teams, nor are the Wildcats healthy right now — PJ Washington is a major question mark to appear in this tournament. None of that will diminish expectations for a program that annually sets the bar at “national title.” If UK fails to reach the Final Four, the drought will reach four years for a program that previously made four appearances in five seasons from 2010-11 to 2014-15.
Check out the entire rankings by clicking here.
