UNC faces tough test vs No. 21 Kentucky
North Carolina (8-2) vs. No. 21 Kentucky (7-2)
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas; Saturday, 5:30 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: No. 21 Kentucky presents a tough challenge for North Carolina. North Carolina has won one of its three games against ranked teams this season. Kentucky lost 66-62 at Notre Dame on Saturday.
BIG MEN ON CAMPUS: Oscar Tshiebwe has averaged a double-double (16.3 points and 14.4 rebounds) to lead the way for the Wildcats. Complementing Tshiebwe is TyTy Washington Jr., who is accounting for 13.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. The Tar Heels have been led by Armando Bacot, who is averaging 14.3 points and 9.8 rebounds.OFFENSE FROM OSCAR: In nine appearances this season, Kentucky's Tshiebwe has shot 67.8 percent.
UNDEFEATED WHEN: The Wildcats are 5-0 when they record seven or more steals and 2-2 when they fall shy of that mark. The Tar Heels are 8-0 when they hold opponents to a field goal percentage of 50.7 percent or worse, and 0-2 when opponents exceed that percentage.
FLOOR SPACING: North Carolina's Dawson Garcia has attempted 23 3-pointers and connected on 47.8 percent of them, and is 7 for 11 over the last five games.
DID YOU KNOW: Kentucky is ranked first among Division I teams with an offensive rebound percentage of 45 percent. The Wildcats have averaged 15.4 offensive boards per game.
___
For more AP college basketball coverage:
___
This was generated by Automated Insights,
Men's CBK AP Top 25: Michigan Passes UConn, Nebraska Tumbles, Bama Falls Out
Grading the 10 NFL Head Coaching Hires: From John Harbaugh to Klint Kubiak
Men's College Basketball Rankings: Florida, Illinois Climbing; Purdue Falls
Ranking the 9 Greatest Defenses in Super Bowl History
2026 Westminster Dog Show: Schedule, How to Watch, Dates, TV, Streaming
2026 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show: Group Winners, Full Results
Super Bowl LX Roster Breakdown: Who Has the Edge Between Seahawks, Patriots?
Super Bowl locations, dates for 2026, 2027, 2028
Joel Klatt's 3 Biggest Winners, Losers of Big Ten's 2026 Schedule Draw
Men's CBK AP Top 25: Michigan Passes UConn, Nebraska Tumbles, Bama Falls Out
Grading the 10 NFL Head Coaching Hires: From John Harbaugh to Klint Kubiak
Men's College Basketball Rankings: Florida, Illinois Climbing; Purdue Falls
Ranking the 9 Greatest Defenses in Super Bowl History
2026 Westminster Dog Show: Schedule, How to Watch, Dates, TV, Streaming
2026 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show: Group Winners, Full Results
Super Bowl LX Roster Breakdown: Who Has the Edge Between Seahawks, Patriots?
Super Bowl locations, dates for 2026, 2027, 2028
Joel Klatt's 3 Biggest Winners, Losers of Big Ten's 2026 Schedule Draw
