A look at the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional — which includes the No. 3 seed Kentucky Wildcats:
Meet UK’s first foe Kentucky (22-11, 10-8 SEC regular season) will open NCAA Tournament play against Sun Belt Conference Tournament champion Troy (23-10, 13-5 regular season) in Milwaukee at 7:10 p.m. EDT Friday.
The Trojans rampaged through their league tournament, winning their three games by an average margin of 16 points.I
n a highly anticipated matchup, Mark Pope’s BYU Wildcats will enter the NCAA Tournament’s Midwest Regional, where they will face off against several teams they’ve encountered throughout the season. With a roster boasting returning players and a coaching staff that has built solid relationships across the conference, BYU’s journey through the tournament promises to be an exciting challenge.
The Wildcats have already faced stiff competition this year, and Pope’s experience in high-pressure games will be key as they look to make a deep run in the postseason. The Midwest Regional is known for its competitive field, with several top-ranked teams vying for a chance at the Final Four.”
Facing these teams again is an opportunity for us to show how much we’ve grown,” said Pope in a recent press conference. “We’ve played some tough teams in our conference, and we’ve learned a lot from those games. Now, we’re ready to take on anyone in our path.
“BYU has been firing on all cylinders this season, with key players stepping up in both offensive and defensive roles. Pope, known for his strategic game plans, is focused on making the most of his team’s familiarity with their opponents, using their prior matchups to inform their approach in the tournament.
With a deep roster and a wealth of experience in high-stakes games, the Wildcats are poised to make a statement in the Midwest Regional, hoping to secure a spot in the next round and ultimately challenge for the championship.
Fans are excited to see how their beloved team fares, as BYU looks to continue their momentum and prove they can compete with the nation’s best. The Wildcats’ first game of the tournament is scheduled for later this week, with more familiar faces set to test their mettle on the national stage.