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Reeling Kentucky takes on Villanova in first round

Mar 16, 2007 - 1:55 PM Villanova (22-10) at Kentucky (21-11) 9:40 pm EDT

CHICAGO (Ticker) -- Kentucky will need to rebound from a late-season swoon if it hopes to advance in the NCAA Tournament.

Eighth-seeded Kentucky (21-11) faces off against Villanova on Friday in a West Region first-round game.

Kentucky earned an at-large bid despite dropping six of its last nine games. The Wildcats lost in the first round of the Southeastern Conference tournament, 85-72, to defending national champion Florida, which shot 64 percent against Kentucky.

Kentucky has history on its side, having won its last 16 first-round games dating to 1988.

Coach Tubby Smith is making his 14th consecutive appearance in the tournament and has the seventh-best winning percentage among active coaches with a 28-12 mark. His 14 straight trips mark the third-longest streak among active coaches and is tied for fifth all-time. Smith led Kentucky to the 1998 national championship in his first year.

Randolph Morris, a 6-11 junior center, leads Kentucky in scoring (15.8 ppg) and rebounding (7.7). Junior guard Joe Crawford chips in 14.2 points per game.

The bid is the third straight for Villanova, which earned a top seed last season before bowing Florida in the regional final. The Wildcats are making their 27th overall appearance - 11th most all-time - and have the 1985 national championship to their credit. The 1985 squad remains the lowest seed (eighth) to win a national title.

Villanova won four games in a row to close the season before falling in the Big East Conference tournament quarterfinals to eventual champion Georgetown.

Senior Curtis Sumpter, a first-team All-Big East selection, averages 17.3 points and 7.2 rebounds, and Big East freshman of the year Scottie Reynolds scores 14.3 points per game for Villanova, which shoots over 78 percent from the charity stripe.

Senior point guard Mike Nardi, who sat out much of the Big East tournament with an injury, is expected to play in the first round against Kentucky.

The winner will likely face top-seeded Kansas in Sunday's second round.