Trent Noah and the Cats will host North Carolina this season. (Vicky Graff Photo)
By KEITH TAYLOR, Kentucky Today
Kentucky will host North Carolina in the third installment of the ACC-SEC Challenge on Dec. 2 at Rupp Arena.
The Wildcats are 1-1 in the yearly event, defeating Miami 95-73 in 2023, followed by a 70-66 setback at Clemson last season. The SEC won 14 of the 16 games last season by a margin of 16.2 points per game.
Kentucky has won three of the past four games against the Tar Heels, including an 87-83 victory in the CBS Sports Classic two years ago. Kentucky has won three in a row over North Carolina at Rupp Arena and owns an 8-6 record in games played at Rupp Arena. The Tar Heels hold a 25-18 edge in the all-time series between the two storied programs.
On its Carolina Basketball social media account, the school tweeted, “Challenge accepted.”
Kentucky’s schedule includes exhibition games against Purdue and Georgetown at home in addition to contests against Gonzaga, Indiana, Louisville, Michigan State, and Saint John’s.
PELPREY RETURNS TO RUPP
Former Kentucky standout John Pelphrey, now in his seventh season at Tennessee Tech, will return to Rupp Arena this season. The Golden Eagles, who finished 15-17 last season, haven’t played the Wildcats since dropping a 69-47 setback at Rupp Arena on Dec. 22, 2007.
Kentucky is 5-0 against Tennessee Tech.
