Kentucky basketball beats Providence for first NCAA Tournament win in nearly four years
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Jacob Toppin said he never thought about it. Oscar Tshiebwe told new teammates not to look it up.
But as Kentucky entered Friday's first-round NCAA Tournament matchup versus Providence, the Wildcats' stunning exit from last season's Big Dance — when UK lost to Saint Peter's in a 15-over-2 upset — was top of mind for the program's fan base, desperate to taste postseason success once again.
Kentucky, a 6-seed in the East Region, delivered Friday night, holding off 11-seed Providence 61-53 at Greensboro Coliseum.
It had been nearly four years since UK's last NCAA Tournament win (62-58 against Houston in the 2019 Sweet 16) in March's signature sporting event. The tournament was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then UK didn’t qualify in 2021.
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Toppin and Tshiebwe (his 25 rebounds led all players Friday and marked the most in an NCAA Tournament game since 2000) combined with fellow senior Antonio Reeves (game-high 24 points on 8-of-18 shooting) to ensure the Wildcats (22-11) ended on the right side of the scoreboard.
"It was a big relief, obviously," said Toppin, who had 18 points and six rebounds. "I knew what this team was capable of, so we got the job done. Props to my teammates. We all stuck together."
The Wildcats were far from perfect offensively Friday. But they were slightly better than the Friars (21-12). And that’s all UK needed to pick up an eight-point victory.
Both teams struggled immensely after halftime, shooting a combined 15 of 55 (27.3%) from the field.
"Hard-fought game. That's a team that makes plays," Kentucky coach John Calipari said. "They mix it up. They played physical. Their guard play, they run downhill. I thought our team fought like crazy."
Particularly Tshiebwe on the boards. His rebound total is the most ever by a Wildcat in an NCAA Tournament game, besting the 24 Jerry Bird had versus Iowa in 1956.
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Providence coach Ed Cooley compared it to seeing Dennis Rodman or Ben Wallace — two of the best rebounders in NBA history — in their primes.
"(Tshiebwe) just gets the ball, man. He is a world-class rebounder," Cooley said. "You have to box that guy out (with) two, three people. He really displayed his dominance on the boards today."
And while UK’s season continues, another ended: that of former Wildcat, and current Friars star, Bryce Hopkins. He transferred from UK to Providence last summer and this season became one of the best players in the Big East, earning first-team all-conference honors after averaging 16.1 points and 8.5 rebounds heading into the NCAA Tournament.
He didn’t play like that Friday, however. Hopkins finished with seven points and had twice as many fouls (four) as made field goals (two, on nine attempts, missing all three of his 3-point shots).
"Bryce, I love him with all my heart," Toppin said. "We got so close last year. He is a really good player. It was definitely hard to guard him because he is so physical.
"It didn't just take me. It took the whole team — being in gaps, being my help — and we just slowed him down."
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With Friday's win, Kentucky advances to the second round, where Kansas State awaits. K-State beat Montana State 77-65 in the final game of the day at Greensboro Coliseum. The contest will tip off at approximately 2:40 p.m. on CBS.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: March Madness scores: John Calipari and Kentucky basketball advance
