Kentucky needs a signature win. North Carolina needs a bounce-back. And on Tuesday night, two of college basketball's biggest brands will collide at Rupp Arena.
The Wildcats (5-2) are still searching for the first ranked victory of the Mark Pope era. After falling to Michigan State and Gonzaga, this game feels massive. A win here changes the entire narrative of the non-conference slate.
Here is everything you need to know to tune in, listen on the radio, or find a streaming service to follow along.
The game details
- Matchup: No. 19 Kentucky vs No. 16 North Carolina (as of this writing, rankings will update prior to tip-off)
- Date: Tuesday December 2nd
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Rupp Arena (Lexington, KY)
- TV: ESPN
Broadcast info
- Spectrum: Channel 28
- DirecTV: Channel 206
- DISH: Channel 140
- Streaming: Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, Sling TV (Orange Plan)
- Radio:
- Online: Stream live at UKAthletics.com or on iHeartRadio via WLAP 630.
- Local FM/AM Stations:
- Lexington: 98.1 FM / 630 WLAP
- Louisville: 840 AM WHAS
- London: 103.9 FM WWEL
- Hazard/Pikeville: 101.1 WSGS
- Madisonville: 93.9 FM WKTG
What’s at stake for the Kentucky basketball and UNC?
For Kentucky:
Mark Pope needs this one. Beating a Top-20 UNC squad at home would be the "proof of concept" win fans have been waiting for. It would validate the system switch against elite athletes. This is a place Kentucky did really well last year winning 8 times against top 15 AP teams. Not so good this year, YET.
For North Carolina:
The Tar Heels are 6-1 but fresh off a blowout loss to Michigan State. They want to prove they can handle physicality on the road.
ESPN Matchup Predictor:
Kentucky has an 86% chance to win according to the analytics.
It’s Blue vs. Blue. It’s Rupp Arena. It doesn't get much better than this. Micah 7:7.