Bilas Backs Kentucky, But Will Troy Send Them Packing? You Won’t Believe What He Said!
As the Kentucky Wildcats prepare for their first-round matchup against No. 14 seed Troy, ESPN analyst Jay Bilas has made his stance clear—he’s backing Kentucky to advance. But while Bilas believes in the Wildcats, not everyone is convinced that they’ll avoid yet another shocking upset.
Bilas, known for his sharp analysis and deep understanding of college basketball, recently made his tournament predictions. When discussing Kentucky’s chances, he expressed confidence in their ability to handle business in the first round. But even though he has them advancing past Troy, he stopped short of predicting a deep run.
“You look at Kentucky, and they’ve got all the tools to be a Sweet 16 team,” Bilas said. “But let’s be real—recent history hasn’t been kind to them. They’ve been bounced early before, and if they don’t bring their A-game, Troy is more than capable of sending them home.”
That’s not exactly a glowing endorsement. In fact, Bilas is subtly warning Kentucky fans not to get too comfortable. And with good reason—March Madness has not been kind to the Wildcats in recent years.
Can Kentucky Avoid Another Disaster?
For Kentucky fans, the fear of another first-round exit is very real. The Wildcats have been on the wrong side of history in back-to-back tournaments, falling to No. 14 seed Oakland last year and No. 15 seed Saint Peter’s in 2022. These losses weren’t just flukes—they exposed real issues with Kentucky’s ability to handle pressure against smaller, well-coached teams.
Troy fits that profile perfectly. The Trojans are a scrappy, disciplined squad that plays hard-nosed defense and can shoot the three at a high level. If Kentucky comes out flat or underestimates their opponent, they could find themselves in another nightmare scenario.
What Must Kentucky Do to Prove Bilas Right?
If the Wildcats want to validate Bilas’ belief in them, they need to focus on a few key areas:
1. Lock Down Troy’s Shooters
Kentucky’s biggest weakness in past upsets has been defending the three-point line. Both Oakland and Saint Peter’s knocked down clutch threes to pull off their respective wins. If the Wildcats don’t defend the perimeter well, Troy could do the same.
2. Take Care of the Basketball
Troy thrives on forcing turnovers, and Kentucky has struggled with ball security at times. If the Wildcats get sloppy and give away extra possessions, they’ll allow the Trojans to hang around—and that’s when upsets happen.
3. Get Production From Their Stars
Lamont Butler is expected to return from injury, and Antonio Reeves will be counted on as the team’s leading scorer. If these two can deliver strong performances, Kentucky should have enough firepower to get past Troy. But if they struggle, things could get dicey.
Final Thoughts: Will Bilas Be Right, or Will Troy Shock the World?
Bilas has given Kentucky his backing, but with a cautious tone. The Wildcats should win this game—but should and will are two very different things in March Madness.
If Kentucky comes in focused and executes their game plan, they can finally put their recent tournament demons behind them. But if they repeat the mistakes of years past, Bilas might regret putting his trust in them.
One thing is certain—Troy isn’t afraid, and Kentucky better be ready. Will the Wildcats silence the doubters, or is another early exit on the horizon? We’re about to find out.
