The Kentucky Wildcats (26-8) will take on the Stony Brook Seawolves (26-6) in a first round matchup of the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats were tabbed the No. 4 seed in the East region for the fourth time in program history.
Kentucky is coming off a thrilling 82-77 overtime victory in the Southeastern Conference title game against Texas A & M for their 29th SEC Tournament Championship in program history. Now the Wildcats will extend their record 55th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament and look to continue their five-game winning streak.
Locker room for today and tomorrow. You know the deal, let’s make it a winning locker room. #LetsDance pic.twitter.com/Y87vJF8rni
— Kentucky Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) March 16, 2016
Stony Brook was given the No. 13 seed in the East Region for their first trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Seawolves are coming fresh off their own conference title game defeating Vermont 80-74 for the American East Conference Championship. Stony Brook senior and three time American East Player of the Year Jameel Warney had a career high 43 points as the Seawolves made a comeback by overcoming a 15 point deficit in the second half.
Kentucky should be well rested after playing three games in three nights in the SEC Tournament. Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari expects his players to be ready says its their responsibility if they are not mentally prepared.
Kentucky and Stony Brook faced each other only once when the Wildcats beat the Seawolves 62-52 on November 27, 2007.
Stony Brook will be facing a tough task of upsetting Kentucky. Kentucky has won 22 of its 23 last first round matchups in the NCAA Tournament.
Tipoff is at 9:40 p.m. on Thursday (St. Patrick’s Day) in Des Moines, Iowa and CBS will carry the broadcast.