TV information is finalized for Kentucky’s basketball trip to Canada. Here’s how to watch.
Fear not, Kentucky basketball fans, the Wildcats’ trip to Canada will be televised.
While that seems a given in the current sports landscape of infinite streaming possibilities, it was not confirmed until Friday that UK’s four exhibition games at the GLOBL JAM in Toronto next week would indeed be available for viewers in the United States.
SportsNet — a Canada-based sports network — is an official partner of the international basketball event as well as the live video rights holder for the GLOBL JAM, though it is not widely available in the United States, and its streaming options are only viewable in Canada.
The Herald-Leader’s previous requests this summer for more information about how U.S.-based fans (particularly those in Kentucky) would be able to see the games were met with replies that those negotiations were ongoing. Now, the plans are finalized.
Kentucky’s games in the event will be available through CBS Sports Network.
The Wildcats, who will represent the United States in the four-team tournament, tip things off against Germany at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, with later pool games against Canada (8 p.m. Thursday) and Africa (1:30 p.m. July 15). The two top teams in pool play will compete for a gold medal at 8 p.m. on July 16, with the bronze-medal matchup set for 1:30 p.m. that day.
CBS Sports Network will air UK’s games against Germany and Africa live, while the 8 p.m. Thursday matchup with Canada will be shown on delay at midnight that night.
The gold medal game will also be shown live on CBS Sports Network, if Kentucky is playing. There are no confirmed plans to air the bronze-medal matchup.
CBS Sports Network can be found on Channel 221 for DIRECTV subscribers and Channel 158 for Dish Network users. The network is also available through other streaming options, as well as local cable companies (check your local listings for specific channel numbers in those cases).
This will be the first time that Kentucky’s 2023-24 team will play together against outside competition, as well as the first time that fans will be able to watch UK’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class represent the Wildcats.
John Calipari has secured late commitments from veteran players Antonio Reeves (a returnee from last season’s squad) and Tre Mitchell (a transfer from West Virginia) to inject some experience into what will largely be an entirely new and youthful roster, headlined by projected NBA lottery picks Justin Edwards and DJ Wagner.
CBS Sports has Kentucky as the No. 17 team in the country in its latest 2023-24 preseason rankings.
The GLOBL JAM will be played in the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, and tickets for the tournament are still available at www.basketball.ca/globljam.
GLOBL JAM
The schedule for next week’s men’s games in the GLOBL JAM, an international basketball showcase in Toronto featuring Kentucky as the USA representative:
Wednesday, July 12
1:30 p.m.: United States vs. Germany (CBS Sports Network live)
8 p.m.: Canada vs. Africa
Thursday, July 13
1:30 p.m.: Africa vs. Germany
8 p.m.: Canada vs. United States (CBS Sports Network at midnight)
Saturday, July 15
1:30 p.m.: Africa vs. United States (CBS Sports Network live)
8 p.m.: Germany vs. Canada
Sunday, July 16
1:30 p.m.: Bronze medal game
8 p.m.: Gold medal game (CBS Sports Network live, if UK is playing)
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