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Kentucky Wildcats

ESPN analysts: No. 1 seed on the line in Kentucky-Tennessee showdown

Andrew Olson

By Andrew Olson

Published:

For Tennessee, ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25, or Kentucky, ranked No. 5, to secure a No. 1 seed, it’s going to take a win Saturday night in Rupp Arena.

“Well this No. 1 seed is at stake and determining who the best team is,” ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said on Saturday’s ‘College GameDay’ live from Lexington. “I think we know exactly who Tennessee is. It’s a veteran team that’s got really good players across the board. They’ve got great depth. They’re a great passing team. I don’t know that we know who Kentucky is yet or who Kentucky can be.

“PJ Washington is emerging as maybe a great player in college basketball. Last seven games he’s been 21 points a game, shooting over 52 percent. But I’m not sure we know who they are as a team yet. They can establish that tonight and take a step toward a No. 1 seed.”

Jay Williams agreed that the outcome will determine who gets the No. 1 seed.

“It’s going to be a great matchup between the low-post players,” Williams said. “You think about Grant Williams and Admiral Schofield going against the likes of PJ Washington and Reid Travis it’s a big-time game. First off, Kentucky should have been coming into this game on a winning streak. I know we’re going to get into that a little bit later. There was a missed call against LSU that should have been called their way. But when you think about this game there’s a No. 1 seed on the line.”

Seth Greenberg added that Saturday night’s winner will come away with Final Four buzz.

“If Kentucky wins this game, they’re going to be back-to-back SEC champions,” Greenberg said. “If Tennessee wins this game, they’re going to be a No. 1 seed. It’s plain and simple. Here’s the deal, if we want Kentucky in the conversation for a No. 1 seed they have to win this game at home. Playing at home, playing against Tennessee who’s No. 1, this is a game if you want to be seriously considered a No. 1 seed and a Final Four team you have to win this game.”

Greenberg and Williams both picked Kentucky to knock off the No. 1 Vols.

[H/T 247Sports]
Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.

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