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Ricardo Sandoval is a Newsweek contributor based in Los Angeles, CA. His focus is sports content. Ricardo has been with Newsweek since 2024 and also writes for On SI for the Lakers, Bucks, Celtics, Pacers, and Trail Blazers sites. Ricardo also is a staff writer for Dodgers Nation. He is a graduate of California State University Northridge. You can get in touch with Ricardo by emailing r.klein@newsweek.com. You can also follow Ricardo on X @_RicardoSand
Ricardo Klein
Contributing Sports Writer
news article Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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The Kentucky Wildcats will finally play in the second weekend of March Madness after their Round of 32 victory over the Illinois Fighting Illini.Kentucky will advance to the Sweet 16 with their win on Sunday. It will be their first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2019. The Wildcats will face their SEC rivals, the No. 2 seed Tennessee Volunteers, on Friday for a chance to play in the Elite Eight at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.It may not be a big deal for Kentucky, who is used to winning every year, but this is a cause for celebration, considering the abrupt endings that the Wildcats have endured in the past four tournaments.
Koby Brea #4 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Fiserv Forum on March 23, 2025…
Koby Brea #4 of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Fiserv Forum on March 23, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images
Head coach Mark Pope is responsible for leading his alma mater to the third round of the tournament. Pope and the Wildcats are also an inch closer to their ninth title in school history.The last time the Wildcats were in the Sweet 16, they were led by coach John Calipari. As always, his teams were filled with star power, featuring P.J. Washington, Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson, Immanuel Quickley, and Nick Richards.This story will be updated…
