The Kentucky Wildcats have looked quite impressive through their two exhibition games as they prepare to tip off the regular season Monday night vs. Wright State.

In Mark Pope’s first season, many across the fanbase and the college basketball world didn’t know what to expect of a roster that was pieced together from players all over the portal. Some had the Cats making the tournament as a 5-7 seed, while others saw the Cats as a team that could squeak into the Big Dance.

Well, it appears that the thought process has changed slightly.

CBS Sports recently ranked 20 teams that had a chance to win the National Championship this season. The Cats made the cut as a dark horse contender.

Here is the thought behind this UK squad:

“Mark Pope’s process offensively is going to be outstanding. This roster is filled with veterans who can pass, dribble and shoot a million 3-pointers. Plus, this point-of-attack defense should be stiff whenever Otega Oweh or Lamont Butler is on the floor. If Kentucky’s 3-pointers are falling in March, it can rattle off numerous wins in a row.”

That seems like a fair evaluation of this Kentucky squad.

They also got some love in the bold predictions section of The Athletic’s bold predictions for the 2024-25 college basketball season, where the Cats were predicted to make the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.

“Mark Pope and Grant McCasland lead their teams — Kentucky and Texas Tech — to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament,” writes Tobias Bass of The Athletic. “To make runs in March you have to have five things: shot makers, NBA-caliber players, the ability to play and adjust to multiple styles, depth and solid coaching. Both teams have all five of those traits. The Red Raiders added four transfers and all have played in at least one NCAA Tournament game. The Wildcats added nine players via the portal — seven averaged at least 10 points per game last year while another, Lamont Butler, averaged 9.4 points and has Final Four experience while at San Diego State.”

It sounds like the Cats are gaining some traction. Going to be fun to try to climb the ladder this season.