Mark Pope's first season guiding Kentucky, his alma mater, always will be viewed through the prism of how the Wildcats fare in the NCAA Tournament.

UK was without fifth-year guard Lamont Butler for the contest after he reinjured his left shoulder on Thursday night during Kentucky’s SEC Tournament second round win over Oklahoma. Prior to Friday’s game, Pope offered a positive injury update on Butler, indicating that Butler will be back for Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament run next week.

Despite the Kentucky Wildcats ’ early exit from the SEC Tournament at the hands of Oklahoma, they remain in a strong position heading into the NCAA Tournament. ESPN women's bracketologist Charlie Creme projects Kentucky as a No. 3 seed, reinforcing their opportunity to host the first two rounds of the tournament.