UK Athletics Photo
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky men’s basketball team extended its national record for most NCAA Tournament appearances to 60 on Sunday, as the Wildcats were selected as the No. 6 seed in the East Region. The Wildcats will play Providence, the region’s No. 11 seed, on Friday in Greensboro, North Carolina. Game time and television assignment are to be determined.
This is the second time that Kentucky has earned a 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament and the first time since 1982. That year, Kentucky played Middle Tennessee in the first round, falling to the Blue Raiders 50-44 in Nashville.
Kentucky finished the 2022-23 regular season with a 21-11 record, marking the 13th time in head coach John Calipari’s 14 seasons that the Wildcats have won 20 or more games. UK finished third in the Southeastern Conference with a 12-6 mark.
In addition to most appearances, Kentucky holds the NCAA Tournament records for most games played (182), while it ranks second all-time in NCAA Tournament wins with 129. The Cats own a 129-53 all-time record in NCAA action, with their .709 winning percentage the fourth-best in NCAA history (min. 20 games).
Looking ahead to Friday’s matchup, Kentucky is 48-11 in NCAA Tournament openers and has won 25 of its last 27 opening-round games.
Kentucky is set to play Providence for the fourth time in program history and the first time ever in NCAA Tournament action. Providence is coming off a 21-11 regular season, finishing 13-7 in Big East action. The Friars earned the fifth seed in the Big East Tournament, falling to No. 4 seed UConn in the quarterfinals 73-66.
Providence has been led this season by Kentucky transfer Byrce Hopkins, who is averaging 16.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, hitting 46 percent from the field. Ed Croswell is averaging 13.2 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game. Noah Locke leads the team from the perimeter, hitting 70 3-pointers this season while averaging 13.1 points per game.
As a team, the Friars are averaging 78.1 points per game, hitting 46 percent from the field and 35 percent from long range. Providence is out-rebounding its opponents by six rebounds per game this season, averaging 6.7 3-pointers per game. Providence started the season 14-3, but has lost eight of its last 15 games, including three straight to end the regular season. The Friars did not play a Southeastern Conference opponent this season.
If Kentucky defeats Providence, the Wildcats will face the winner of No. 3 seed Kansas State (23-9) and No. 14 seed Montana State (25-9). UK leads the all-time series with Kansas State 9-1 with the lone loss coming in the Sweet 16 of the 2018 NCAA Tournament in Atlanta, 61-58. UK and Montana State have met once, with UK earning an 86-28 win in Lexington in 2015.
13 Responses
They got a great draw .. If they get their crap together they could easily be in the sweet 16.
Depends on which team shows up. If they play defense, drive the ball and hit some of their open shots, they will be fine. If they play Matador Defense and jack up 3’s, they will get an early exit.
I sure wish Onyenso had gotten some meaningful minutes this year. If Oscar gets in foul trouble or gets kicked out (if attitude doesn’t change), UK might be in big trouble. It would also be good to have someone to throw in there to stop all the opponents drives to the basket.
I agree that this was a great draw. The NCAA has a strange sense of humor though with this Providence match-up.
Ya they do ..always a storyline with who we play.
The Providence game is a toss-up. The K State game will be a toss out with us getting tossed out. With no relief in sight, I will not be anxiously awaiting the beginning of next season and the beat goes on. UK used to do the beating; now we are the drum more times than not.
This is UK’s 60th NCAA appearance. Who is second and how many years?
North Carolina
I am sooooooooo sad about this season. I also am upset at Oscar’s recent play and reactions and attitude. There must be a problem with this him/ the
team of which we are not aware. He is an awesome player and has tremendous character, but something is bothering him. It needs to get straightened out – NOW. I try to be positive; but unfortunately, I am not. I would love to be proved wrong, but . . .! GO CATS!
It’s not difficult to understand Oscar’s attitude when you realize he is constantly taking
cheap shots from multiple players on opposing teams.
This team is suffering from Wheeleritis.
Something different like a zone & 1 on Bryce or the good ole “ freak defense “ of Dale Brown might be a welcome change. Utilizing the 7 footer on inbound plays ( both theirs and ours ) – something/anything to confuse the opponent – not just the same old ####. Actually, we’ll go as far as our 3 ball will take us in my view.
I’m not sold on hopkins.
Nobody should know Hopkins weaknesses better than Calipari, right?