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Kentucky faces Santa Clara in NCAA Tournament opener
Wildcats look to rebound after emotional win in conference tournament
Mar. 22, 2026 at 3:06pm
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No. 7 seed Kentucky will take on No. 10 seed Santa Clara in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats are coming off an emotional victory in their conference tournament, while the Broncos look to pull off an upset in the big dance.
Why it matters
This matchup features two teams with contrasting styles and momentum heading into the tournament. Kentucky is a perennial powerhouse looking to make a deep run, while Santa Clara is aiming to prove it belongs on the national stage.
The details
Kentucky, led by head coach Avery Johnson, is coming off an emotional win in their conference tournament that has them riding high. However, they'll have to refocus quickly to take on a tough Santa Clara squad led by veteran coach Mike O'Donnell. The Broncos are looking to pull off the upset and advance in the NCAA Tournament.
- The first-round matchup between Kentucky and Santa Clara will take place on March 22, 2026.
The players
Avery Johnson
Head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team.
Mike O'Donnell
Head coach of the Santa Clara Broncos men's basketball team.
What they’re saying
“We're coming off an emotional high from our conference tournament win, but we know we have to refocus and be ready for a tough Santa Clara team.”
— Avery Johnson, Head Coach, Kentucky Wildcats
“We're excited for the opportunity to take on a powerhouse program like Kentucky. Our guys are ready to compete and show what we can do on the big stage.”
— Mike O'Donnell, Head Coach, Santa Clara Broncos
What’s next
The winner of the Kentucky-Santa Clara matchup will advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament to face the winner of the game between the No. 2 seed and the No. 15 seed.
The takeaway
This first-round clash between Kentucky and Santa Clara promises to be an exciting and hard-fought battle, with the Wildcats looking to avoid an early upset and the Broncos aiming to pull off a March Madness stunner.
