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March Madness 2017: Ranking and previewing all Sweet 16 teams

By Keith Rivas

Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) dives for the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Bryce Alford (20) dives for the ball during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) reacts after a three-point basket against the Wichita State Shockers during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Joseph-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) reacts after a three-point basket against the Wichita State Shockers during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Joseph-USA TODAY Sports /

Kentucky Wildcats

After breezing past Northern Kentucky, the Wildcats faced much more of a challenge against Wichita State. They ended up surviving the Shockers, and will now play UCLA in an instant classic for a spot in the Elite Eight.

Normally a top seed, this year’s squad garnered a No. 2 instead. This caused a lot of people to put them off the map, at least when compared to other teams ranked in their same tier.

It’s in the Sweet 16 that Kentucky will need to show that it’s for real this year as well. UCLA has been playing good basketball, but the Wildcats will want revenge.

https://twitter.com/5starbasketball/status/843796062838120449

Avenging their regular season loss to the Bruins will be a lot of what they’re thinking about.

Additionally, Malik Monk is getting more of a chance to improve his draft stock with the deeper tournament run that Kentucky has. Monk is expected to be a first rounder, with his spot on the draft board improving if he plays well.

The winner of their game with UCLA will play either North Carolina or Butler.

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