The Kentucky Wildcats have been the top team in the nation since before the season began, and they remain just that as we approach the NCAA tournament. They extended their winning streak to 34 games by clinching the SEC tournament with a 78-63 win over 21st-ranked Arkansas on Thursday. It is the program's 28th tournament title.
The Wildcats are now the 4th team to enter the tournament undefeated since the 1976 Indiana team finished off a perfect season with a title. The other three teams could not stay perfect through the tournament, including Indiana State losing in the 1979 title game.
Willie Cauley-Stein finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds for Kentucky, who never trailed in the victory. Andrew Harrison added 15 points, while his brother Aaron contributed 11.
The Razorbacks fell short on recording their second SEC tourney title and first since 2000. Michael Qualls scored 18 points in just his second game off the bench for Arkansas. Bobby Portis added 13 points but recorded a season-low 2 rebounds.
Kentucky's 34-game streak matches Wichita State's record from last season for the longest winning streak entering the tournament. Last season, Stephen F. Austin at 28 games and Florida at 26 games entered the top 5 since the tournament expanded in 1995.
The Wildcats scored the first 8 points of the game, led by two 3's from Andrew Harrison, and never looked back. They enter as the top overall seed and will play the winner of the Hampton-Manhattan game in the Midwest region on Thursday. Arkansas is the 5th seed in the West region and will take on Wofford on Thursday.
The Wildcats are now the 4th team to enter the tournament undefeated since the 1976 Indiana team finished off a perfect season with a title. The other three teams could not stay perfect through the tournament, including Indiana State losing in the 1979 title game.
Willie Cauley-Stein finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds for Kentucky, who never trailed in the victory. Andrew Harrison added 15 points, while his brother Aaron contributed 11.
The Razorbacks fell short on recording their second SEC tourney title and first since 2000. Michael Qualls scored 18 points in just his second game off the bench for Arkansas. Bobby Portis added 13 points but recorded a season-low 2 rebounds.
Kentucky's 34-game streak matches Wichita State's record from last season for the longest winning streak entering the tournament. Last season, Stephen F. Austin at 28 games and Florida at 26 games entered the top 5 since the tournament expanded in 1995.
The Wildcats scored the first 8 points of the game, led by two 3's from Andrew Harrison, and never looked back. They enter as the top overall seed and will play the winner of the Hampton-Manhattan game in the Midwest region on Thursday. Arkansas is the 5th seed in the West region and will take on Wofford on Thursday.
