From Underdogs to Contender: Kentucky’s Sweet 16 Berth Surprises Even Dick Vitale
Dick Vitale, the legendary ESPN analyst, has revealed his predictions for the 2025 NCAA Tournament. While he hadn’t explicitly stated how far Kentucky would go, we can gather some insights from his overall bracket predictions
Vitale had praised Kentucky’s performance this season, acknowledging their strength and potential to make a deep run. However, he hadn’t included them in his Final Four picks, which featured Duke, Auburn, Florida, and Houston
But Kentucky has proven Vitale wrong, as they secured a thrilling 84-75 win over Illinois Fighting Illini in the NCAA Tournament’s round of 32. With this victory, the Wildcats have advanced to the Sweet 16, where they will face off against the winner of the UConn-St. Mary’s matchup.
“Kentucky’s win over Illinois was impressive, and they’re definitely a team to watch in the Sweet 16,” Vitale said in a recent interview. “Their offense is clicking, and their defense is making big plays. I might have underestimated them earlier, but they’re definitely a contender now.”
