Which projected top 4 seeds do the Kentucky Wildcats want to avoid in the 2024 NCAA Tournament?

The Kentucky Wildcats can't choose who they face in March, but they'll certainly want to avoid these four teams.

John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats are projected anywhere from a three seed to a seven seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, and how they perform in their final three regular season games - notably on the road at Tennessee next Saturday - will go a long way in determining where they end up in the Field of 68.

Getting the highest seed is always the most desired outcome, but for this team the best case scenario is more about avoiding teams which could cause problems for the 'Cats.

Kentucky has struggled with teams that are capable of slowing the game down and preventing the Wildcats from getting out in transition. They also struggle with tough, physical defensive teams and are prone to getting beat on the boards.

That doesn't mean they don't have a path to an Elite 8 or better, but for them to make that kind of run and finish this season on a high note they will want to cross their fingers and hope to avoid the following four teams:

Houston (projected: No. 1 seed)

Houston has ascended to the No. 1 spot thanks to a sparkly 25-3 record and first place in the vaunted Big 12 conference. Kelvin Sampson's club boasts the No. 1 defense in the country, per KenPom, along with the No. 17 most efficient offense and an incredibly slow tempo. 

Their tenacity on defense, slow paced but efficient offense, and physical, experienced guards in Jamal Shead and LJ Cryer would be a tough, tough load for Kentucky's team to handle in a Sweet 16 matchup.

UConn (projected: No. 1 seed)

The defending champs look like a real candidate to go back-to-back, which would be the first time since Florida did it back in 2007-2008. UConn is a top 20 offensive and defensive team at KenPom, and like Houston, they can really slow it down tempo-wise and force the 'Cats to play at their pace. 

Donovan Clingan is an absolute load on the block, and UConn's sharpshooting wings in Alex Karaban and Cam Spencer - along with veteran point guard Tristen Newton - would make life hard on Kentucky if they met in the Sweet 16.

Creighton (projected: No. 3 seed)

Creighton has had highs and lows this season, but when they are on no one in the country wants to face them. The tremendous scoring trio of guards - Baylor Scheierman, Trey Alexander, and Steven Ashworth - would make Kentucky's defense have to work for a full 40 minutes, and if they aren't up to the task of defending the perimeter it could get ugly fast.

However, selling out to defend the three-point line leaves Ryan Kalkbrenner to dominate on the block, and his ability to draw contact and finish around the rim will be tough for Ugonna Onyenso, Zvonimir Ivisic, and UK's other bigs to handle.

San Diego State (projected: No. 4 seed)

If Kentucky does fall to a five seed, the last 4 seed they'd want to see in their pod is San Diego State. The Aztecs returned a ton of key pieces from last year's national championship runner-up, and they play a slow, physical, grind it out style of basketball that has flustered the 'Cats this year.

Add in a high-level low post scorer in Jaedon LeDee and a top 10 overall and three-point defense in the country and you have a recipe that could go quite poorly for Coach Cal and the Wildcats.