DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kentucky Wildcats: CBS Sports Isaac Trotter Has Team Potentially Going One-and-Done

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Glenn Kaplan | Last updated Mar 17, 2026 4:20 PM ET

The Kentucky Wildcats are the seventh seed in the Midwest Region entering the NCAA Tournament. They will be facing the 10th seed Santa Clara Broncos on Friday afternoon. Kentucky's record is 21-13 and Santa Clara's record is 26-8.

The Wildcats have not been the same team as they were a season ago. Kentucky was a three seed in the NCAA Tournament last season before losing to two seed Tennessee Volunteers in the Sweet 16.

This is going to be a big spot for Wildcats head coach Mark Pope. If Kentucky were to lose in the first-round against the Broncos, this would be the third time in five years that they would be one and done in the NCAA Tournament. Are they on upset alert once again against Santa Clara?

Kentucky Wildcats On Upset Alert Says CBS Sports Isaac Trotter

Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports previewed the South Region in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. He thinks that the one team that could very well have an early exit from the NCAA Tournament is Kentucky. Trotter said, "It'd be stunning if Kentucky advanced to the second weekend. The Wildcats have a tough first-round tilt against No. 10 seed Santa Clara. The Broncos go nine deep and have legit dudes at every level of the floor. If Kentucky sneaks past that one, No. 2 seed Iowa State will await.

Kentucky's bully-ball approach will not work against T.J. Otzelberger's outfit, and the Wildcats' lack of a true point guard could be exacerbated by Iowa State's swarming defense, which will put two to the ball at will. Also, when is the last time that Kentucky played 80 good minutes of basketball in a row? Even during an 8-1 surge in SEC play, Kentucky was frequently digging itself out of holes. Kentucky has to play its best basketball of the season to earn a Sweet 16 bid, but this draw is no slouch."

The Wildcats may not even have the chance to face the Iowa State Cyclones because they may very well lose to the Broncos in the Round of 64. Kentucky has underachieved all season long. They finished in ninth in the SEC standings and Santa Clara finished in third in the WCC.

A lot of people are picking the Broncos to take down the Wildcats on Friday afternoon. It will be another disappointing season for Big Blue Nation if they don't get to the second weekend in March Madness.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: