Big Blue Nation is still on cloud nine after Saturday’s huge win over LSU, but Sunday was a notable day for basketball fans, as we got the preseason KenPom rankings for the 2026-27 college basketball season.
Because nothing says basketball season is here like the official release of KenPom’s preseason rankings.
KenPom seems not to be as high on Kentucky as others, slotting Kentucky at No. 26 overall. The Wildcats come into the season with the No. 9 offensive rating and No. 50 defensive rating.
Based
on these rankings, Kentucky will enter the season as the ninth-best SEC team. Number nine. How ironic is that?
Kentucky will face off against 12 teams ranked ahead of them in the preseason KenPom rankings, including Texas Tech, in an exhibition game.
As for what this means championship-wise, most national championship teams in the KenPom era were ranked highly entering the season. One of the few exceptions was the 2024-25 Florida Gators, who entered the season ranked No. 28.
The 2022-23 UConn Huskies were down at No. 27 to begin their season.
Last year, Michigan opened the season ranked No. 11 before going on to win it all.
Every other team to win it all since 2015 was ranked in KenPom’s preseason top five. So while recent history favors those teams, there are a few exceptions that should give Kentucky fans hope that this team will outperform its preseason ranking and be a national title threat.
So, where do you think the Cats should be ranked?
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