Kentucky
Experts divided on Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament prospects
With the NCAA Tournament just around the corner, the Kentucky Wildcats’ chances of making a deep run are being hotly debated by experts and analysts. Opinions are split, as injury issues and inconsistent performances throughout the season have clouded the Wildcats’ outlook.
Second-Round Exits Predicted by Many
A significant number of analysts are predicting an early exit for Kentucky, with most projecting a loss in the second round. ESPN’s Jeff Borzello has the Wildcats defeating Troy 88-74 in the first round but falling to Illinois in a nail-biter, 87-85. Similarly, The Athletic’s CJ Moore isn’t convinced Kentucky can overcome the Illini, citing injury concerns.
“Illinois has been a wild ride this year,” Moore wrote. “Every time I start to believe in the Illini, they give me good reason to jump off the bandwagon. But they have been much better with a healthy Tomislav Ivisic. Kentucky, meanwhile, is limping into the tournament and has been injury-riddled all season. If Lamont Butler were back to his usual self, I’d maybe lean Kentucky, but it doesn’t seem like his shoulder is ever going to be the same.”
Jay Williams, an ESPN analyst and former Duke star, isn’t optimistic about Kentucky’s chances either, predicting the Wildcats will lose in the Round of 32 to either Texas or Xavier. Molly Qerim, host of First Take, also doubts Kentucky’s staying power, picking them to lose to Illinois in the second round.
CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish and The Field of 68 John Fanta also share the sentiment of an early exit, while Kyle Boone of SB Nation and Kevin Sweeney of Sports Illustrated agree that Illinois will likely end Kentucky’s run in the second round.
Sweet 16 and Elite Eight Hopes
Not everyone is predicting doom and gloom for the Wildcats, though. CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander believes Kentucky can overcome Tennessee to reach the Elite Eight, though he doesn’t see them getting past Houston.
“Offense beating defense, and I’m making this pick specifically because I think if Lamont Butler is healthy enough, they’ve got the depth and the style of play,” Norlander said. “I will trust Kentucky to get it done this season.”
College basketball legend and analyst Dick Vitale, affectionately known as “Dickie V,” sees Kentucky’s journey ending in the Sweet 16 against Tennessee, along with ESPN’s Elle Duncan has the Wildcats advancing to the Sweet 16 but losing to Tennessee,
Several other analysts, including The Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy and Bill Bender, have Kentucky reaching the Sweet 16 before bowing out. Pat Forde from Sports Illustrated and Rickey O’Donnell from SB Nation also picked the Wildcats to advance to the Sweet 16 but no further.
According to FanDuel, Kentucky’s odd to make it to the Final Four are +1000.
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A Bold Final Four Prediction
In contrast to the skepticism, The Athletic’s Lindsay Schnell has made the boldest prediction by picking Kentucky to reach the Final Four. Schnell acknowledged the risk of picking a team with so many injuries but expressed confidence in head coach Mark Pope and the team’s ability to overcome adversity.
“Picking a bracket is only fun if you’re willing to take chances, and with that in mind, I present the Final Four-bound Kentucky Wildcats,” Schnell wrote. “Am I second-guessing my decision upon remembering that Jaxson Robinson is out for the season? Yes. But I’m going all in on Mark Pope, Amari Williams, and Otega Oweh.”
College Gameday Crew Skeptical
The College Gameday crew wasn’t as optimistic, with none of the panelists picking Kentucky to make the Elite Eight. Jay Bilas, in particular, cited injury concerns, despite Mark Pope’s assurance that Lamont Butler would return for the tournament.
With predictions all over the map, one thing is clear: Kentucky’s potential run in March Madness will depend heavily on their health and ability to perform under pressure. The Wildcats open tournament play as the No. 3 seed against No. 14 seed Troy on Friday night.
Top headlines of the week, May 8 2026
Here are some stories you may have missed this week in central Ohio.
Authorities said a body recovered May 4 from the Ohio River in northeast Kentucky has been identified as a Columbus man, Dispatch news partner NBC4/WMCH-TV reported.
Lewis County Sheriff Johnny Bivens said the body has been identified as Jason D. Frisbie, 38, of Columbus. Bivens said authorities in Kentucky worked with Ohio officials to identify Frisbie this week.
Bivens said Lewis County took a call around 4:30 p.m. May 4 about a body in the river in Vanceburg, Kentucky, a few miles south of Ohio’s Shawnee State Park. Bivens said responding agencies took the body to the Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Lewis County authorities asked for public help identifying the body. On May 9, Bivens confirmed Frisbie’s identity after working with Ohio officials and local responders.
Bivens said the death remains under investigation, and authorities did not offer information about a suspected cause.
Kentucky
Two ‘dangerous’ inmates escape Kentucky detention center, sparking multi-agency manhunt across region
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Two inmates described as “dangerous” escaped Friday evening from a Kentucky detention center, prompting a multi-agency manhunt, police said.
The Morehead Police Department warned the surrounding community that two inmates had “walked away” from the Rowan County Detention Center.
Investigators said multiple law enforcement agencies are actively searching for the escapees, with Kentucky State Police leading the investigation.
“These inmates should be considered dangerous,” police said, warning the community not to approach anyone suspicious or unfamiliar.
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Two inmates described as “dangerous” escaped from a Kentucky detention center, prompting a multi-agency manhunt. (Morehead Police Department)
One of the inmates was identified as Michael Fogleman, 29, who is described as 6 feet tall and 188 pounds.
He has short or closely shaved hair and a short beard along his jawline and chin, according to police.
The second inmate was identified as James Smallwood, 52, who is listed at 6 feet 1 inch tall and about 215 pounds.
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Michael Fogleman, 29, is one of two inmates who escaped from a Kentucky detention center, police said. (Morehead Police Department)
He is described as having a medium to stocky build with gray facial hair around the mouth and chin area.
Smallwood was last seen wearing a white shirt and blue jeans and possibly a hat, police said.
James Smallwood, 52, is one of two inmates on the run after escaping from a Kentucky jail, authorities said. (Morehead Police Department)
Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and call 911 immediately if they see anything suspicious or have information about the escapees.
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Law enforcement agencies are searching for two escaped inmates in Kentucky, authorities said. (Silas Walker/Lexington Herald-Leader/Tribune News Service)
Investigators said they will provide more information as it becomes available.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Kentucky State Police and Rowan County Detention Center for comment.
The Kentucky high school 2026 outdoor track and field season has been exceptional, especially the girls competition.
In particular, the sprints and horizontal jumps.
Long Jump Leaders Set the Pace
First, the long jump.
Christian Educational Consortium’s Jade Hartlage, a rising superstar of track and field in its totality, has the state’s leading jump, 19feet, 9 inches, set March 26. She is partially homeschooled and not eligible for in KHSAA postseason.
Hartlage’s mark is followed by Simon Kenton’s Alexis Howard (19-0, March 26). Howard is another standout athlete. She was selected as a 2025 All-State Honorable Mention in soccer. Howard won the 3A indoor title in early March, recording a mark of 18-7 1/4.
Howard, Svidal Among Top Contenders
Walden School senior Natalie Svidal sailed to an 18-4 1/2 mark at the Walden Small School Championships May 5. That ties her for third in the state with Taleigha Nash of Great Crossing High School.
Triple Jump Competition Tightens
In the triple jump, Howard is atop the performance list. She leapt 40-5, April 25.
However, Svidal is close. She recorded 40-2 1/4 this past week.
Multi-Sport Stars Making Impact
Teigh Yeast, yet another standout athlete, who helped George Rogers Clark win a state basketball title in March and is a Robert Morris University basketball commit, logged a 40-0 1/2 jump April 21. Yeast was last season’s 3A champion at 39-5.25.
How Kentucky Stacks Up Nationally
Perspective and context need to be applied here. Here’s how Kentucky compares nationally.
National Benchmarks Set the Bar
Parker Coes of Morton Ranch High School (Katy, Texas) has surpassed 21 feet twice in 2026. Abigail Mecklenburg of Linn-Mar High School (Marion, Iowa) is approaching the 21-foot threshold.
Coes’ marks were achieved in the early indoor season. The Texan has jumped 20-10 1/2 outdoors (April 3) but her last mark was 18-11 3/4, May 2.
Mecklenburg is yet to replicate her indoor marks outdoors.
The top outdoor jump so far in 2026 is 42-7.5, set by Daniela Hughes of Los Altos High School (Los Altos, California).
A significant challenge for the Bluegrass jumpers to surpass. But if there is a season for top-10 national rankings or records.
State Records Within Reach
With that said, the Kentucky state records are potentially breakable in the next two weeks. The current records are 20-4 (Maxine Graham, Fleming County High School, 1975) and 41-7 (Sophie Galloway, Marshall County High School, 2021).
Each has the speed and explosiveness to challenge those marks.
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