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3 Reasons Kentucky is a Bigger Final 4 Threat Than Duke

By Steven Kubitza

The Kentucky Wildcats are poised to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
The Kentucky Wildcats are poised to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. / Silas Walker/Getty Images

The Kentucky Wildcats entered the week ranked No. 8 overall in the AP Top 25, one spot behind Duke, despite the two teams experiencing vastly different weeks. Kentucky went unbeaten, taking down the likes of LSU and Florida, while Duke suffered a stunning loss to North Carolina State. The Wildcats have one more loss than the Blue Devils on the year, but despite that, the Wildcats appear set up much better than Coach K's squad to make a run at the Final Four this year. Here are three reasons why Kentucky poses a greater NCAA Tournament threat than Duke.

3. Fewer Concerning Losses

Duke was recently defeated by Wake Forest.
Duke was recently defeated by Wake Forest. / Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

Kentucky was shocked back in November by Evansville in what was arguably the most inexcusable loss of the college basketball season, but it came at the beginning of the year and the Wildcats have since rebounded. The team's other four losses have all come by single-digits against much better competition. Duke has five losses and has struggled on the road. The Blue Devils got blown out by NC State, and just lost by double-digits to Wake Forest in a double overtime stunner. Not only that, but it took overtime for them to take down the worst UNC side in recent memory. Unless they can iron out the kinks, this Blue Devils team seems poised for an early exit.

2. Rise of Immanuel Quickley

Kentucky's Immanuel Quickley is getting better with time.
Kentucky's Immanuel Quickley is getting better with time. / Michael Hickey/Getty Images

Immanuel Quickley has matured as the year has gone on, developing into an excellent player in Coach Capilari's system. The sophomore is averaging over 20 points per game in February after a slow start to the season, and is fresh off a breakout game in which he he had 30 points and hit eight 3-pointers against Texas A&M. Duke's scoring attack is more balanced; Tre Jones and Cassius Stanley have shown the ability to get hot, but neither can take over a game like Quickley.

1. Duke's Concerning Defense

Duke allowed over 100 points to Wake Forest.
Duke allowed over 100 points to Wake Forest. / Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

Duke recently gave up 113 points in a loss to Wake Forest. The team also gave up 96 to North Carolina, but pulled out a miraculous 98-96 win. Simply outscoring every opponent and not worrying about defense will become a problem in the tournament when even better competition than a 12-15 Wake Forest squad is the opponent. Kentucky has yet to surrender more than 79 points in a game this season, showcasing the ability to keep teams under lock.