NCAA Tournament scores: Kentucky Wildcats beat Providence Friars to advance to 2nd round
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Coverage from the game: Kentucky basketball beats Providence for first NCAA Tournament win in nearly four years
When Kentucky takes the floor at 7:10 p.m. Friday in Greensboro, North Carolina, 1,449 days will have elapsed since the program's last victory in the NCAA Tournament.
Its first-round game against Providence offers a chance at redemption.
Redemption for its Elite Eight overtime loss in 2019 to Auburn (two days after its last win, against Houston in the Sweet 16), for the 2020 tournament canceled by the pandemic and the miserable 2020-21 campaign in which the Wildcats (9-16, 8-9 SEC) missed the tournament entirely.
And for last year's shocking loss to No. 15 Saint Peter's in the first round.
The Wildcats (21-11) have had a week since their SEC Tournament quarterfinal loss to rest. Guard Sahvir Wheeler, out since Feb. 4, is expected to be available Friday. Injuries to fellow backcourt mates CJ Fredrick (ribs) and Cason Wallace (leg) linger, though both played in the loss to Vanderbilt. Senior forward Jacob Toppin battled an issue with his hamstring last week, too.
On the other sideline, the Friars (21-11) are dealing with the distraction of coach Ed Cooley potentially leaving for the same position at conference rival Georgetown.
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Here's what you need to know about Friday's game and how to watch:
When is the Kentucky vs Providence basketball game?
When: 7:10 p.m. ET, Friday, March 17
Where: Greensboro Coliseum (22,000); Greensboro, North Carolina
What channel is the UK vs Providence NCAA Tournament game on?
The game will be televised live on CBS. Ian Eagle (play by play), Jim Spanarkel (analyst) and Evan Washburn (sideline) will call the game.
More on the matchup:What to know about first-round NCAA Tournament game
How to stream Kentucky-Providence March Madness basketball game?
Authenticated subscribers can livestream the game at CBSSports.com or via the CBS Sports app as well as fuboTV.
How to stream Kentucky vs Providence NCAA Tournament game for free?
You can stream CBS on YouTube TV, which offers a free trial here, and can get a free trial with fuboTV here.
East Region breakdown:Should Kentucky be on upset alert?
How to listen to UK basketball vs Providence game on the radio?
Tom Leach (play-by-play) and Jack Givens (analyst) will have the UK radio network call on 840 AM in Louisville and both 630 AM and 98.1 FM in Lexington or online at UKAthletics.com.
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What is the series history for Kentucky vs Providence men's basketball?
The Wildcats have never lost to the Friars in three meetings. The last was in 2014, when UK cruised to a 58-38 win at Rupp Arena. Then-No. 3 Kentucky won the previous season (79-65) in Brooklyn, New York. The first matchup came in the NIT semifinals in 1976, when the Wildcats escaped with a 79-78 victory.
The Wildcats are making their 60th NCAA Tournament appearance, the most of any school in the nation. Friday also marks Kentucky's 183rd NCAA Tournament game, another record. Its 129 wins in the event rank second (to North Carolina's 131), while its .709 winning percentage (129-53) is fourth, behind Duke (.752; 118-39), North Carolina (.728; 131-49) and UCLA (.718; 107-42).
NCAA Tournament: Kentucky vs Providence score, live updates, highlights
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: NCAA Tournament 2023: Kentucky vs Providence score from March Madness
