In a thrilling game, Kentucky's basketball team, led by its freshmen and sophomore Thiero, held off North Carolina to win 87-83. Kentucky's freshmen combined for 62 of the 87 points, showcasing their potential. The game was characterized by back-and-forth plays, with Kentucky leading for most of the game but briefly trailing in the second half. Kentucky's balance and unselfishness were evident, with eight players scoring 7-plus points and four in double figures. The Wildcats outrebounded UNC 42-32 and blocked nine shots, showcasing their toughness. DJ Wagner had an impressive performance with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. The win was significant for Kentucky's NCAA Tournament resume. The game was a testament to the potential of Kentucky's young team and the ability of freshmen to excel in college hoops. Kentucky's win over a veteran North Carolina team has drawn praise from coach John Calipari and others, with Calipari acknowledging UNC as a Final Four-level team and praising the performance of RJ Davis. The victory was a throwback to Calipari's glory years with the Wildcats, reminiscent of his first act. The game was a showcase of the Wildcats' talent, roster balance, and shooting ability. Kentucky's win has propelled them to the top 10 in CJ's latest rankings, reflecting the excitement of the ongoing college basketball season.
Kentucky freshman guard D.J. Wagner earned his second Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week accolade of the season on Monday. Wagner posted 14 points, six rebounds and five assists in UK’s upset win over No. 9 North Carolina on Saturday.
"Last year Bama was the No. 1 seed in the tourney - and 4 of their top 6 scorers were freshmen. Freshmen can win in college hoops - if they're good enough. Kentucky's DEFINITELY are." - Torres with reaction to UK's WILD win over UNC on today's show 🎧https://t.co/wqAeGMapba https://t.co/1Ax2SHzhrg
Kentucky pushing top-10 in CJ’s latest rankings. More broadly, what an awesome college basketball season so far. https://t.co/90vLSAjawE
Saturday was definitively the best college hoops action of this season to date, writes @CJMooreHoops. And when the dust settled, Purdue reclaimed the top spot in his Top 25 rankings after a win over Arizona. https://t.co/LAj3XmgHKg
Kentucky had four freshmen on floor at end of 87-83 win over UNC at CBS Classic in Atlanta. 8-2 Cats get a big boost, outrebounding Heels, 42-32.
It’s a long season, but John Calipari has Kentucky basketball back to ‘Kentucky good’ #BBN #ukbasketball https://t.co/XQUXB7bmMP
Kentucky basketball’s win over UNC echoes John Calipari’s glory years https://t.co/g3ylpalneS
What an awesome, awesome weekend of college hoops. And another great thing about it? An equally-awesome group of @TheAthleticCBB stories covering it all. In THREAD form:
Kentucky out-rebounded North Carolina — a big, physical, veteran college basketball team — by 10 on Saturday night in a statement win. UK did this while only getting 4 rebounds from Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso. “Kentucky was tougher than us” ⬇️ https://t.co/GFbIqKkcMS
COLUMN: The final 12 seconds of UK's win over UNC did not unfold the way John Calipari wanted -- but he could still smile about it afterward b/c all's well that ends well, and b/c he knows his team has the talent, roster-balance and shooting to be great. https://t.co/P6uYu7aQ1R
From the atmosphere to the performance to the swagger of Kentucky’s young stars delivering in a big moment, everything about Saturday's win felt like a throwback. It felt like John Calipari's glory years with the Wildcats, writes @KyleTucker_ATH. https://t.co/rXhIkUOr2t https://t.co/h0Y4ekPbsl
"They balled.I'm telling you, (North Carolina) is a veteran team that came in with one idea: They were going to be physical with us. That's what they did. And you know what? We held our own." Kentucky showcased grit and toughness in Saturday's win over UNC https://t.co/H4eDekn0HP
ICYMI - Three takeaways from Kentucky basketball's big win over North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic. #BBN #ukbasketball https://t.co/gGAg2FizNB
Now, glass half full: State went blow for blow with a really good team for the majority of the night, and Tennessee hit some ridiculous shots. This kind of performance will win you a lot of ACC games
Another three for JoJo James — he's got 23 — and then a charge on NC State, drawn by Santiago Vescovi. #Vols up eight with 1:13 left.
Zeigler for three. #Vols up 7 with two minutes left.
#Vols 67, NC State 63, 3:56/2ndH. Wolfpack ball after this final media timeout on the floor.
#Vols 58, NC State 57, 7:35/2ndH. Tennessee's Jahmai Mashack to the line for two after this media timeout on the floor.
This is a great response to the big Tennessee run for NC State. Really like what I'm seeing from this team tonight
NC State back within two. #Vols refusing to run away with this one.
Prior to NC State's timeout, Tennessee goes on a 9-0 run to take an 11-point lead. Wolfpack needs a leader in the huddle. Someone to settle and bring composure.
Here’s @KyleTucker_ATH on Kentucky’s win over UNC: https://t.co/JVoTVw5H1H
John Calipari let his wildly entertaining young guard rock, Kentucky’s star freshmen delivered on the big stage and Rob Dillingham dapped up John Wall in-game. Calipari’s second act starting to look a lot like his first, and it sure is fun. https://t.co/FJFQUpnAuy
“I think Dillingham is SPECIAL. These freshmen for Kentucky competed on both ends of the floor. I loved what I saw from them tonight” - @r22childress Breaking down the Wildcats’ BIG win over UNC NOW! WE ARE LIVE: https://t.co/juF9OG8Emg https://t.co/oxWlS8lapc
Kentucky beats North Carolina in a shootout! Breaking down EVERY aspect of this game with @RobDauster, @GoodmanHoops, and @r22childress NOW!! After Dark is LIVE ⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/exlk6rXuki
We are diving into Kentucky's win over North Carolina NOW over on After Dark: https://t.co/juF9OG8Emg
Feeding Burns in the post...and the combo of Morsell and Taylor attacking the basket have NC State keeping this thing close. Tennessee with 5 fouls as a result of slashing Wolfpack guards. P.S. Wide Open Tennessee 3's make my eyes bleed.
At the half, Tennessee leads NC State 34-31. NC State - 38% Tenn - 39% The two are shooting roughly the same percentage from three, but Tenn has taken 6 more and made 2 more. DJ Horne leads all scorers with 13. Taylor & Morsell are 1-8. They need to score in the 2nd.
Despite letting a 12-point second-half lead slip away, No. 14 Kentucky held on for an 87-83 win against No. 9 North Carolina on Saturday in the CBS Sports Classic. @BrendanRMarks and @KyleTucker_ATH on what the win means for Wildcats ⤵️ https://t.co/Na2A1XYMmL
HALFTIME IN SAN ANTONIO: No. 12 Tennessee 34, NC State 31. Uneven first half for the #Vols. Some good, some bad, some ugly. Stop turning it over, make open shots, and they'll be fine. We'll see if they do those things after the break.
Pretty good half for NC State. Definitely a couple adjustments that need to be made but you're going blow for blow with a very good team and by far the best team you've played so far
Youthful #Kentucky takes veteran #UNC to school in winning its battle of bluebloods ... https://t.co/qLLgZOuNYw
Back-to-back-to-back threes for Tennessee. Mashack, James, Zeigler. #Vols 29, NC State 22, 4:35/1stH. Timeout, Pack.
Three takeaways from Kentucky basketball’s win over the North Carolina Tar Heels #BBN #ukbasketball https://t.co/gGAg2FizNB
NC State 15, #Vols 11, 13:47/1stH. Was a solid start for Tennessee, but Pack starting to get hot from three.
DJ Wagner balled out today in No. 14 @KentuckyMBB’s win over No. 9 North Carolina 💪 https://t.co/BaUxzjOJeP
Kentucky's freshmen scored 18 of 20 points to close the game.
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis: "Kentucky was tougher than us in the trenches, and in order to win games like this, you've got to win in the paint."
North Carolina coach Hubert Davis on Kentucky: "They have a number of players that can create their own shot in one-on-one situations. From a defensive standpoint, they had to make some tough shots in one-on-one and down the stretch they were able to do that." #BBN #ukbasketball
John Calipari says North Carolina is a Final Four-caliber team, and R.J. Davis is playing like one of the best guards in the country right now.
“Let me say, UNC is a Final Four team — they are.” Kentucky coach John Calipari effusive in his praise of the Tar Heels right now in the postgame here.
John Calipari: "UNC is a Final Four-level team. They are, and (RJ) Davis is one of the best players in the country right now."
Calipari on his team: "To make the plays at the end of the game like we did shows you who we are." #BBN #ukbasketball
Calipari says "UNC is a Final Four-level team" and that RJ Davis (six straight 23-plus-point games) is one of the best players in the country.
Calipari: "I have a team that you should shoot threes. You space the court. I play to my team." #BBN #ukbasketball
Calipari on Dillingham: "Are you going clip his wings? . . . I give him two (crazy plays) a half, a third and he's coming out. . . . I've got to let some of that stuff go." #BBN #ukbasketball
Calipari on his team: "They balled. That was a veteran (North Carolina) team that came in with one idea, they were going to be physical with us. And we held our own." #BBN #ukbasketball
Tre Mitchell on UK's balance and unselfishness: "We know that the dude to the left and to the right of us is an elite basketball player." Cats had eight guys score 7-plus, four in double figures against UNC.
Kentucky's Tre Mitchell on UK's freshmen: "They made big plays down the stretch. They were willing to step up and make big plays down the stretch." #BBN #ukbasketball
Hey, John Calipari was right: If you don't have a post presence ... Kentucky, with Bradshaw and Onyenson out there tonight, outrebounded UNC 42-32 and blocked nine shots.
Kentucky and Carolina really should play every year. Every game is a banger
Final box from Kentucky's 87-83 victory over North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic. https://t.co/iHxyOQiRs7
Yes the Blue Bloods were so competitive today as @KentuckyMBB ‘s DIAPER DANDIES were up to the challenge as they won an intense battle vs @UNC_Basketball 87-83 ! RJ Davis of UNC had 27 & clearly is putting the stamp on as the BEST SCORING GUARD in the nation.
NO. 14 KENTUCKY OUTLASTS NO. 9 NORTH CAROLINA 😼 The Wildcat freshmen combine for 6️⃣2️⃣ to win a BATTLE in Atlanta 💪 https://t.co/TEOd9XvRRg
FINAL: Kentucky 87, UNC 83 UNC took the lead 72-71 with 5:05 left UK outscores them 16-11 from there, with freshmen scoring 14 of the 16. Can we put the narrative "Freshmen can't win in college hoops in 2023" to bed? If the freshmen are good enough can. These kids are SPECIAL
NO. 14 KENTUCKY OUTLAST NO. 9 NORTH CAROLINA 😼 The Wildcat freshmen combine for 6️⃣2️⃣ to win a BATTLE in Atlanta 💪 https://t.co/HjBtOGNwuh
Final: Kentucky 87, North Carolina 83. This Kentucky team is like a roller-coaster ride. But LOVE their potential with Bradshaw.
FINAL: Kentucky 87, UNC 83 UNC took the lead 72-71 with 5:05 left UK outscores them 16-11 from there, with freshmen scoring 14 of the 16. Can we put the narrative "Freshmen can't win in college hoops in 2023" to bed? If the freshmen are good enough can These kids are SPECIAL
NO. 14 KENTUCKY UPSETS NO. 9 NORTH CAROLINA 🤯 https://t.co/EcPq2b6qKI
Kentucky takes down No. 9 UNC! https://t.co/FlDKYLBjU2
Here's your box score. Kentucky's freshmen combined for 62 of 87 points. That was something. https://t.co/SfIfmejSPl
That’s going to be a huge game for Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament resume GREAT win!!!!
FINAL: Kentucky 87, North Carolina 83. Wildcats hold on to improve to 8-2 while Tar Heels fall to 7-3. Rob Dillingham has 17 points against his home state team. UK back in action at 6 p.m. Thursday, hitting the road to face a struggling Louisville squad.
Bradshaw missed the first, made the second, held his follow-through as he skipped to the sideline. FINAL: Kentucky 87, North Carolina 83 That is a big, big, big-time win for a young Wildcats team. Almost entirely freshman-driven too.
Bradshaw missed the first but makes the second. Clutch! Kentucky wins it, 87-83. Great great game.
UK 86-83 with 11.9 seconds left. Carolina ball. Cal calls time to set his defense.
Kentucky 86, North Carolina 83, 11.9 seconds left. Is there any doubt this going to overtime?
DJ Wagner: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 turnovers, 1 steal. Regardless of stats, I've been super impressed today.
Ruled a foul, not a shot-clock violation, but with no made basket. One-and-one upcoming for UK. Cats lead by 2 with 46.3 seconds left...
Kentucky 83, North Carolina 81, 1:08 to play. Dillingham and Bradshaw have four fouls. Bradshaw grabbed a missed UNC FT and got fouled. How's everybody's heart rate?
DJ Wagner has been absolutely awesome today. Pull-up J to extend the lead.
Davis Ryan Ingram Withers Bacot UNC's lineup with 2:27 left, down 2, UK ball
R.J. Davis with a massive 3 to keep this a one-possession game. But the Tar Heels seem unable to grab the rebounds they need; had a chance there on UK's miss, but Bacot couldn't corral it.
These UK-UNC regular season games are always so well-played Let’s win!!!!
Lordt, this game. RJ Davis 3, his sixth straight game of 23-plus points, and it's 79-77 UK, 2:27 to go. Add it to the list in this awesome series.
Pretty impressive last three possessions for Kentucky here. Gave away a 14 point lead and, with four freshmen on the floor, immediately reeled off six straight to take control back. That’s veteran stuff right there.
That was a wild hesitation, reverse-pivot Dilly layup, then a runout Dilly layup off an awesome Reed Sheppard outlet pass. Blink, 77-72 Kentucky, 3:44 to go. UNC's only lead of the day lasted 16 seconds.
Kentucky on a 6-0 run in the last 1:15, turning a 72-71 deficit into a 77-72 lead. There's only 3:44 to go here in Atlanta.
For the first time all game, Kentucky trails North Carolina, 72-71, with 5:15 to go.
Armando Bacot to the line for two free throws, and the chance for UNC's first lead of the game. 71-70 UK now with 5:15 left. (we can ignore that cormac ryan airballed 3)
Kentucky's gotta finish this thing or it's worthless, but I'm incredibly impressed to see a team led mostly by the freshmen today (and sophomore Thiero) lead for 29:33 of the first 32 minutes and never trail a very good (and veteran) North Carolina.
Kentucky 67, North Carolina 62 with 7:56 left. Can the young Cats execute well enough down the stretch to win this high-intensity game?
Kentucky has had multiple chances to put this game away, but hasn't... and UNC keeps clawing back in. R.J. Davis and-1 was the Tar Heels' 4th straight make, and we've got a game again.
Kentucky 60, North Carolina 51 with 11:41 left in CBS Sports Classic. UNC's Armando Bacot has 3 points and 4 rebounds in 21 minutes.
This Kentucky/UNC game is DAMN good.
Ugonna Onyenso is doing what he does really well. Swatting the hell outta shots. Three blocks in 8 minutes and looked like a fourth there, but a foul instead. Kentucky 60, North Carolina 51, 11:41 2H. Cats have led for 25:48, trailed for 0:00.
Kentucky has had a huge, timely shot every time UNC makes a push. This time, a Tre Mitchell 3.
UK takes advantages of UNC's switching (again), and ends up with Armando Bacot on a wide-open corner shooter. Kentucky on a 15-5 run to start the second half. Cormac Ryan has all five of UNC's second-half points.
Out of intermission, UNC tied a game UK has led almost entirely ... but DJ Wagner (playing very, very well today) nails a 3 to get the lead right back. Within seconds, it's 47-40 UK.
Second half about to get underway at State Farm Arena with Kentucky leading North Carolina 40-38. https://t.co/WzwkhCgeUE