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Kentucky men’s basketball announces game against ACC power in Atlanta
By Mark Kern
Published:
The Kentucky Wildcats will take on the North Carolina Tarheels in Atlanta on Dec. 16 as part of the CBS Sports Classic on CBS, the men’s basketball program announced on Tuesday.
The first game will feature the Ohio State Buckeyes and the UCLA Bruins, and those two teams will tip-off at 3 p.m. ET, with Kentucky and North Carolina to follow.
Kentucky-North Carolina in Atlanta ?
Our 2023 CBS Sports Classic matchup is confirmed for Saturday, December 16. pic.twitter.com/QBtLC4wj7P
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) August 8, 2023
Kentucky is only 4-5 in the event, while North Carolina is 6-3. UCLA has gone 3-5 in the event, while Ohio State has gone 4-4.
All 4 of these teams rank in the top 6 in all-time Final Fours. North Carolina leads the way with 21, while UCLA has 18, Kentucky has 17 and Ohio State has 10. Kansas has 16 appearances to rank fourth, while Michigan State is tied with Ohio State with 10.
Last season, the Wildcats lost to UCLA in this matchup, 63-53. Despite being down double-digits early in the game, Kentucky came back and tied the game twice in the second half. However, it would never take the lead and ended up losing by 10.
The Wildcats last win in the series was in 2021, when they ran North Carolina out of the gym, 98-69. Kentucky was led by Shavir Wheeler, who finished that game with 26 points, 8 assists and 4 steals.
Kentucky vs North Carolina in CATlanta on Dec 16th.
Just a reminder, the last time Kentucky played UNC they embarrassed them 98-69…
Sahvir Wheeler just toyed with the UNC backcourt with 26 pts, 8 ast, and 4 stl. Even had Oscar dancing at the end.#BBN
(YT/@DanielHagerKSR) pic.twitter.com/8OW6sKFXxd
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) August 8, 2023
The game against North Carolina is a part of a very difficult non-conference schedule that also sees the Wildcats play other big-time schools such as Kansas and Miami.
