Video: Kentucky vs. North Carolina college basketball preview

The rivalry between a pair of college basketball blue bloods is renewed on Saturday when No. 14-ranked Kentucky plays No. 9 North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta.

I talked with Jadyn Watson-Fisher of the Raleigh News and Observer about the North Carolina Tar Heels, who are 7-2 on the season. Carolina lost 83-81 in overtime to Villanova during the Battle 4 Atlantis and 87-76 to UConn in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. UNC’s best win was over Tennessee 100-92 in the ACC/SEC Challenge.

I also talked with Ben Roberts of the Lexington Herald-Leader about the Kentucky Wildcats, who are also 7-2. UK lost 89-84 to Kansas in the Champions Classic in Chicago and 80-73 to UNC Wilmington at Rupp Arena. The Cats’ best win was over Miami 95-73 in the ACC/SEC Challenge.

Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Saturday at State Farm Arena, or 20 minutes after the conclusion of the event’s first game between UCLA and Ohio State.

This story was originally published December 13, 2023 at 6:10 PM.

Ben Roberts

Lexington Herald-Leader

859-429-2848

Ben Roberts is the University of Kentucky men’s basketball beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He has previously specialized in UK basketball recruiting coverage and created and maintained the Next Cats blog. He is a Franklin County native and first joined the Herald-Leader in 2006. Support my work with a digital subscription

John Clay

Lexington Herald-Leader

859-472-4218

John Clay is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Central Kentucky, he covered UK football from 1987 until being named sports columnist in 2000. He has covered 20 Final Fours and 42 consecutive Kentucky Derbys. Support my work with a digital subscription