UK basketball writer Ryan Black breaks down Kentucky’s center depth
Kentucky beat writer Ryan Black says Mark Pope has a “good problem” at center, with Malachi Moreno emerging and Brandon Garrison motivated to win back his spot.
LEXINGTON — One of Kentucky basketball’s most common non-SEC rivalries is renewed tonight, as it hosts fellow blue blood North Carolina at Rupp Arena.
Tonight will be the 44th time the Wildcats have faced the Tar Heels. The only programs outside the SEC that UK has played more often are Notre Dame (64 meetings), Louisville (58) and Indiana (57); Kentucky has tussled with Georgia Tech on 73 occasions and Tulane 46 times, but both used to be conference members before departing to become independents in the 1960s.
The matchup between UK (5-2) and UNC (6-1) tonight is part of the ACC/SEC Challenge, now entering its third year. Kentucky is 1-1 in the event, downing Miami in 2023 but falling to Clemson on the road last season. North Carolina is 1-1, too, topping Tennessee in 2023 but losing to Alabama a year later.
Stream Kentucky vs. North Carolina
Wildcats coach Mark Pope has never taken on the Tar Heels; UNC coach Hubert Davis is 0-2 versus UK (defeats in 2021 and 2023).
It’ll be a battle of ranked squads: The Wildcats are 18th in the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, one spot behind the Tar Heels. Kentucky also is No. 18 in the AP Top 25, while North Carolina is No. 16.
Here’s what you need to know to follow today’s game between the Wildcats and Tar Heels from home:
UK and North Carolina are slated to tip off at 9:30 p.m. today at Rupp Arena.
- TV channel: ESPN
- Livestream: Fubo (free trial)
The game between the Wildcats and Tar Heels will air nationally on ESPN.
Dave O’Brien (play-by-play), Dick Vitale (analyst) and Jay Williams (analyst) will be on the call for the television broadcast.
Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com or the WatchESPN app.
Those without cable can access ESPN via streaming services, with Fubo offering a free trial.
Stream Kentucky vs. North Carolina
Betting odds: Kentucky is a 7 ½-point favorite (-108) on DraftKings, which set the over/under at 160 ½ points (-105/-115).
Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington.
You can also listen online via UKAthletics.com.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
