The Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball team has had an interesting 2024 season to say the least. SEC play, in particular, has been a roller coaster. Just a week ago, it looked like the Cats were finished, having lost three games in a row at home, something that hadn’t happened since the 1960s. Things have changed in a week, and the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll is a reflection of that.
Last week, the Coaches Poll had Kentucky ranked 20th, after dropping multiple weeks in a row. They had been as high as number six at one point in January, but defensive issues and losses seemed to keep piling up.
Kentucky’s game against the Auburn Tigers on Saturday was as big a game as they’ve had this season. With another loss, the narrative that they can’t beat good teams would persist, and the notion that they might miss the NCAA Tournament would hang around. Fortunately for Big Blue Nation, they don’t have to worry about that. Kentucky traveled to Auburn and won easily, 70 – 59.
The Wildcats hopefully put multiple narratives to bed. The defense played their best game of the season, and showed they can stop a good offense. They also won a game where they didn’t simply just outscore the other team. The win could very well have locked them into the Tournament as well, something people had begun to question.
Cats fans are hoping to continue the winning streak this week. They have some tough opponents still to play, and if they can stack up wins against them, they may have a shot at getting back up inside the top 10.
| Rank | Team | Record | Points | Change |
| 1 | UConn | 24-2 | 800 (32) | – |
| 2 | Houston | 22-3 | 764 | +1 |
| 3 | Purdue | 23-3 | 715 | -1 |
| 4 | Arizona | 20-5 | 710 | +2 |
| 5 | Tennessee | 19-6 | 641 | +4 |
| 6 | Iowa State | 20-5 | 607 | +4 |
| 7 | Duke | 20-5 | 580 | +1 |
| 8 | Marquette | 19-6 | 553 | -4 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 20-6 | 546 | -4 |
| 10 | Kansas | 20-6 | 538 | -3 |
| 11 | Baylor | 19-6 | 508 | +2 |
| 12 | Illinois | 19-6 | 431 | +2 |
| 13 | Alabama | 18-7 | 417 | +2 |
| 14 | Auburn | 20-6 | 335 | -2 |
| 15 | Creighton | 19-7 | 329 | +1 |
| 16 | Dayton | 21-4 | 300 | +2 |
| 17 | Kentucky | 18-7 | 291 | +3 |
| 18 | Saint Mary’s | 21-6 | 251 | +1 |
| 19 | San Diego State | 20-6 | 185 | +12 |
| 20 | South Carolina | 21-5 | 180 | -9 |
| 21 | BYU | 18-7 | 105 | -4 |
| 22 | Washington State | 20-6 | 97 | +12 |
| 23 | Texas Tech | 18-7 | 71 | +4 |
| 24 | Colorado State | 20-6 | 65 | +1 |
| 25 | TCU | 18-7 | 64 | +8 |