#2 Kentucky Wildcats (25-6, 15-3)
SEC (1st)
Off- 74.4 ppg / Def- 66.1 ppg
NCAA Appearances- 59 (Last: 2019)
Top Scorers:
Immanuel Quickley 16.6 ppg
Nick Richards 14.0 ppg
Tyrese Maxey 14.0 ppg
Ashton Hagans 11.5 ppg
E.J. Montgomery 6.1 ppg
#15 North Dakota State Bison (25-8, 13-3)
Summit League (t1st)
Conf. tourney champs
Off- 74.8 ppg / Def- 66.2 ppg
NCAA Appearances- 4 (Last: 2019)
Top Scorers:
Vinnie Shahid 18.4 ppg
Tyson Ward 16.9 ppg
Rocky Kreuser 10.0 ppg
Sam Griesel 6.6 ppg
Cameron Hunter 6.6 ppg
Evansville's stunning victory over then-#1 Kentucky earlier this season served as a reminder to expect the unexpected when it comes to college athletics. Then again, the more things change, the more they stay the same, as Kentucky rode the roller coaster that was the 2019-20 season to their 51st SEC regular season title. John Calipari's squad was led by yet another group of potential NBA Draft picks including SEC Player of the Year Immanuel Quickley who averaged 16.6 ppg as a sophomore after netting just 5.2 ppg a year ago. Though at times, not the dominant all-star team fans would expect from a roster full of highly-sought after recruits and future pro prospects, there is no doubt had Kentucky been given a chance, they would've been a threat once again to punch their ticket to the Final Four.
Already well-known in the football universe, the Bison basketball program is beginning to build their own reputation, aside from their mega-power counterpart. Since becoming a full-time D1 program in 2009, the Bison have qualified for the NCAA Tournament 5 times, picking up wins over Oklahoma and NC Central while also facing a current who's who of college basketball including Kansas, Gonzaga, and Duke. Several bracketologists even pegged NDSU to be the First Round opponent for Kentucky, so it seemed like destiny that they would meet in the Bracket of Doom. Seniors Vinnie Shahid (18.4 ppg) and Tyson Ward (16.9 ppg) steered the ship for Bison head coach David Richman.
SEC (1st)
Off- 74.4 ppg / Def- 66.1 ppg
NCAA Appearances- 59 (Last: 2019)
Top Scorers:
Immanuel Quickley 16.6 ppg
Nick Richards 14.0 ppg
Tyrese Maxey 14.0 ppg
Ashton Hagans 11.5 ppg
E.J. Montgomery 6.1 ppg
#15 North Dakota State Bison (25-8, 13-3)
Summit League (t1st)
Conf. tourney champs
Off- 74.8 ppg / Def- 66.2 ppg
NCAA Appearances- 4 (Last: 2019)
Top Scorers:
Vinnie Shahid 18.4 ppg
Tyson Ward 16.9 ppg
Rocky Kreuser 10.0 ppg
Sam Griesel 6.6 ppg
Cameron Hunter 6.6 ppg
Evansville's stunning victory over then-#1 Kentucky earlier this season served as a reminder to expect the unexpected when it comes to college athletics. Then again, the more things change, the more they stay the same, as Kentucky rode the roller coaster that was the 2019-20 season to their 51st SEC regular season title. John Calipari's squad was led by yet another group of potential NBA Draft picks including SEC Player of the Year Immanuel Quickley who averaged 16.6 ppg as a sophomore after netting just 5.2 ppg a year ago. Though at times, not the dominant all-star team fans would expect from a roster full of highly-sought after recruits and future pro prospects, there is no doubt had Kentucky been given a chance, they would've been a threat once again to punch their ticket to the Final Four.
Already well-known in the football universe, the Bison basketball program is beginning to build their own reputation, aside from their mega-power counterpart. Since becoming a full-time D1 program in 2009, the Bison have qualified for the NCAA Tournament 5 times, picking up wins over Oklahoma and NC Central while also facing a current who's who of college basketball including Kansas, Gonzaga, and Duke. Several bracketologists even pegged NDSU to be the First Round opponent for Kentucky, so it seemed like destiny that they would meet in the Bracket of Doom. Seniors Vinnie Shahid (18.4 ppg) and Tyson Ward (16.9 ppg) steered the ship for Bison head coach David Richman.
