Kentucky’s run in the NCAA Tournament came to an end Sunday, but the Sweet 16 and the Elite Eight await as sunset begins to fall on the 2025-26 college basketball season.
While the Wildcats fell short of making it past the first weekend, Kentucky wasn’t the only traditional Blueblood program that failed to reach the regional semifinals. North Carolina, Kansas and UCLA will also be on the recruiting trail instead of preparing for the next move in the Big Dance. It's the first time since 1954 that Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA and North Carolina haven't been part of the Sweet Sixteen.
North Carolina is seeking a new coach after Hubert Davis was fired on Tuesday night. The Tar Heels were ousted in the first round for the second year in a row. Much like Kentucky, the standard is high in Chapel Hill, and patience is not a virtue for the Tar Heel blue.
While cheering for the Blue and White won’t be an option for the next two weeks, four Southeastern Conference teams — Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and Texas — are still alive and chasing the championship. Former Kentucky and Louisville coach Rick Pitino has St. John’s in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since the turn of the century (1999), and one of his top players — Bryce Hopkins —played under John Calipari at Kentucky.
For Pitino to keep playing, the Red Storm, which ousted Kansas on a last-second shot, will need to defeat top-seeded Duke. Pitino, the oldest coach left in the field (73), will face Jon Scheyer, the 38-year-old Blue Devils coach who is the youngest coach left in the event.
Calipari has Arkansas on a roll, and it’s no surprise considering Calipari’s success at Kentucky, especially during his first decade with the Wildcats. The move to Razorback country has revived the former Kentucky coach, who still has a knack for recruiting the top prep players in the country. In his first season in Fayetteville, freshman phenom Darius Acuff was named both SEC Player and Freshman of the year.
Much like Kentucky and North Carolina, Kansas isn’t used to watching the Sweet Sixteen, and its coach — Bill Self — is pondering his future after enduring an up-and-down season in Lawrence along with health issues. Self is reportedly considering retirement, which may result in the Jayhawks’ first coaching search in 23 years. Self replaced Roy Williams after Williams departed for North Carolina in 2003.
As for UCLA, the Bruins haven’t really been the same since the late John Wooden departed Westwood. UCLA’s last national title came in 1995, and the Bruins last reached the Final Four five years ago.
Among the SEC teams remaining, Tennessee, which has never reached the Final Four, faces Iowa State, the team that ended Kentucky’s run in the tournament in resounding fashion. Texas, which is on a roll with three wins in the tournament and the only team of the First Four remaining, faces Purdue, while Alabama takes on top-seeded Michigan. Arkansas takes on No. 1 seed Arizona.
There is still plenty to root for and 15 more games remaining in the Big Dance. Enjoy the ride. At least there will be no more hand-wringing with Kentucky out of the picture.
