LIVE BLOG: Kentucky vs. North Carolina

Kentucky failed its first two tests of the season vs. Louisville and Michigan State. Will the Cats rise to the challenge vs. an old rival at home? KSR’s LIVE BLOG will bring you all the sights and sounds from Rupp Arena as No. 18 Kentucky hosts No. 16 North Carolina in the ACC/SEC Challenge (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

After the 17-point loss to Michigan State in the Champions Classic, Kentucky bounced back with a 50-point win vs. Tennessee Tech at Rupp on Thanksgiving Eve. The next day, North Carolina lost to the Spartans by 16 points in the Fort Myers Tip-Off. Tonight, the Cats will likely be without Mo Dioubate (ankle) and Jaland Lowe (shoulder). That could make the task of containing five-star freshman Caleb Wilson, who chose the Tar Heels over the Cats, even more daunting. Wilson is averaging almost a double-double, 19.9 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. Regardless, Kentucky is a 6.5-point favorite.

Will the Cats notch their first big win? Will Will Stein, Kentucky Football’s new head coach, make an appearance after landing in Lexington this afternoon? Refresh the feed below for updates and KSR’s takes on the game from Rupp Arena. You can also join the conversation on the KSBoard Game Thread.

Special thanks to our live blog sponsor this season, Friends of Coal.

Friends of Coal is dedicated to informing and educating Kentucky citizens about the coal industry and its vital role in the state’s future. We provide a united voice for an industry that has been and remains a critical economic contributor to Kentucky. By working together, we can provide good jobs and benefits for future generations. Coal is RESILIENT, RELIABLE, and AFFORDABLE.

Friends of Coal is a volunteer organization. All are invited to be a part of our organization, which consists of proud Kentuckians as well as residents from beyond our borders. Head to friendsofcoalkentucky.org to learn more.

By:Tyler Thompson

1:41 2H – Kentucky 62, North Carolina 61

12/02/2025 10:44:24 PM

Shoutout to Malachi Moreno, who just gave Kentucky the lead with under two minutes to go with a pair of free throws. Big shots by the freshman.

By:Tyler Thompson

Otega Oweh ends Kentucky’s field goal drought

12/02/2025 10:40:03 PM

Hallelujah. Otega Oweh finally found the bottom of the bucket, ending an almost 11-minute field goal drought and putting Kentucky up 59-58. Unfortunately, North Carolina just hit a three to take the lead again. Otega Oweh just got fouled and will head to the line to try to tie it up with 2:11 to go.

Kentucky’s 13 straight missed shots were the most in a game in at least the last eight seasons. Yuck.

By:Tyler Thompson

3:47 2H – Kentucky 56, North Carolina 56

12/02/2025 10:34:08 PM

Kentucky’s field goal drought has reached nine minutes. The Cats have missed their last 13 shots. Even worse, North Carolina is starting to take advantage. The Tar Heels just went on a 6-0 run to tie it up with 3:47 to go.

SOMEONE PLEASE STEP UP AND HIT SOME SHOTS

By:Tyler Thompson

7 minutes without a field goal

12/02/2025 10:29:24 PM

Otega Oweh just pushed Kentucky’s lead to six from the field goal line, but the Cats haven’t hit a field goal in seven minutes, Carolina four. This has been a rock fight.

6:09 2H – Kentucky 56, North Carolina 50

By:Tyler Thompson

7:39 2H – Kentucky 53, North Carolina 49

12/02/2025 10:22:10 PM

It’s been an ugly few minutes for both sides. Kentucky is in the midst of a five-minute drought from the floor, missing its last seven field goals. Carolina hasn’t scored in over two and a half minutes. Thankfully, Andrija Jelavic is playing great defense on Caleb Wilson, who only has nine points (4-17 FG) and nine rebounds, well below his 19.9 and 9.9 averages.

Meanwhile, if I hear another Duke reference from Jay Williams or Dick Vitale, I might mute my TV.

By:Tyler Thompson

Brandon Garrison hits Kentucky’s first three

12/02/2025 10:04:27 PM

Kentucky was 0-9 from three seven minutes into the second half. So, of course it was Brandon Garrison who hit the Cats’ first three-pointer of the night. He does not lack confidence.

Kentucky’s in the midst of a 6-0 run and leads by five with 12 minutes to go…

Kentucky 49, North Carolina 44 – 11:58 2H

By:Tyler Thompson

Tayshaun Prince is also the Y!

12/02/2025 09:59:20 PM

You know it’s a big game when they bring out two Ys. Will Stein had the honors in the first half. Tayshaun Prince just did it in the second, which is appropriate given his history vs. the Tar Heels. In fact, he did the Y standing almost exactly where he was when he hit the fifth of five straight threes in 2001.

By:Tyler Thompson

14:46 2H – Kentucky 43, North Carolina 42

12/02/2025 09:53:36 PM

Kentucky leads by one five minutes into the second half, but if the Cats want to close this one out, they have to start rebounding better. North Carolina is dominating the rebounding battle 28-17, 16-4 on the offensive glass. That’s led to 18 second-chance points to Kentucky’s four.

This lob to Malachi Moreno for the slam was fun, though. Kentucky needs to hit some threes, though. Still 0-8 from the outside.

By:Tyler Thompson

Otega Oweh starts the half with a dunk

12/02/2025 09:48:00 PM

Otega Oweh is doing his part to get the Cats rolling at the start of the second half. Less than a minute in, he threw down this dunk to put the Cats up two.

By:Jack Pilgrim

HALFTIME: Kentucky 31, North Carolina 31

12/02/2025 09:28:20 PM

Kentucky is not rebounding well, nor have the Wildcats hit a single perimeter shot, but it’s a tie game at 31-31 with defense holding up on the other end of the floor. North Carolina is shooting just 37.5 percent overall — despite knocking down 3-8 attempts from deep.

UK is shooting 50 percent overall with Otega Oweh, Collin Chandler and Denzel Aberdeen leading the way with six points apiece, followed by Andrija Jelavic with four, Brandon Garrison with three and Malachi Moreno, Jasper Johnson and Kam Williams with two.

The story is Caleb Wilson, who has seven points, seven rebounds and four assists — but he’s shooting just 3-12 from the field and 0-2 from three. They’re running everything through him and the five-star freshman hasn’t been able to get much of anything going given the shot volume.

By:Jack Pilgrim

3:55 1H: Kentucky 27, North Carolina 26

12/02/2025 09:18:18 PM

Kentucky has hit five of its last seven shots for 56.5 percent overall, but still hasn’t knocked down a three at the final TV timeout of the first half. North Carolina has hit three of them, but the Tar Heels are just 40 percent from the field overall while holding Caleb Wilson to 3-9 shooting and 0-2 from three.

Cats need to get some perimeter shots to fall, but things are looking good elsewhere.

Otega Oweh and Denzel Aberdeen are your leading scorers at six points apiece.

By:Jack Pilgrim

CATS RETAKE THE LEAD AND RUPP GOES CRAZY

12/02/2025 09:13:18 PM

Kentucky is on a 6-0 run in the last 50 seconds while making six of its last eight field goals. It all has Rupp Arena on FIRE here in the first half with the Wildcats leading 23-20 with 7:18 to go.

How about this poke from Andrija Jelavic leading to a Denzel Aberdeen slam the other way?

By:Jack Pilgrim

9:49 1H: North Carolina 18, Kentucky 17

12/02/2025 09:05:47 PM

Otega Oweh and Collin Chandler have four points apiece, followed by Brandon Garrison with three and Jasper Johnson, Andrija Jelavic and Kam Williams with two.

Cats are shooting 50 percent from the field, but have not yet made a three. The Tar Heels, meanwhile, have knocked down two of four attempts from deep.

By:Jack Pilgrim

Full lineup change for the Cats (and zone!)

12/02/2025 08:57:27 PM

Jasper Johnson, Trent Noah, Andrija Jelavic and Brandon Garrison joined Collin Chandler on the floor — and then we immediately saw Mark Pope throw a zone out there on the defensive end.

It’s not going very well, as North Carolina has scored its last five field goals to retake the lead at 18-15.

By:Jack Pilgrim

Welcome home, Will Stein!

12/02/2025 08:53:25 PM

Kentucky’s newest football coach was introduced at the first TV timeout, and let me tell you, fans like the hire of Will Stein.

He was brought out for the ‘Y’ at midcourt and Rupp Arena nearly caved in. Stein was quite fired up for the ovation.

It was exactly what the doctor ordered here on a Tuesday night in December — now we just need a win to finish it off.

By:Jack Pilgrim

17:32 Kentucky 4, North Carolina 4

12/02/2025 08:45:10 PM

Otega Oweh and Collin Chandler have quick layups while Caleb Wilson and Kyan Evans have buckets for UNC, giving us a 4-4 start just a few minutes in. Both teams shooting 50% on 2-4 overall.

By:Jack Pilgrim

We are live on ESPN News

12/02/2025 08:41:17 PM

Wondering where the game is? Flip it over to ESPN News — it’s starting over there while Florida and Duke wrap up.

It’ll jump back to ESPN when that one ends.

By:Jack Pilgrim

LOUD boos for Caleb Wilson

12/02/2025 08:38:42 PM

Remember when the five-star recruit broke Kentucky fans’ hearts back in January by picking the Tar Heels over the Cats? BBN is making Caleb Wilson pay for it at Rupp Arena, showering him with boos during starting lineups.

Expect to hear a lot of that tonight, folks.

By:Tyler Thompson

Tip set for 9:40 p.m. ET

12/02/2025 08:33:07 PM

Florida vs. Duke is still rolling, so tip time of Kentucky vs. UNC has been pushed to 9:40 p.m. ET — at least. The Gators vs. the Blue Devils is still a tight game, so the start time could be pushed further, or we may get moved to the app. Stay tuned.

By:Tyler Thompson

Starting lineups

12/02/2025 08:31:20 PM

Kentucky is running it back with its most recent starting lineup, which features Malachi Moreno and Kam Williams.

Kentucky Starters

・00 Otega Oweh

・1 Denzel Aberdeen

・3 Kam Williams

・5 Collin Chandler

・24 Malachi Moreno

North Carolina Starters

・0 Kyan Evans

・44 Luka Bogavac

・8 Caleb Wilson

・15 Jarin Stevenson

・13 Henri Veesaar

By:Tyler Thompson

Rupp Arena cheers for Tennessee losing

12/02/2025 08:25:52 PM

Syracuse just upset No. 13 Tennessee, the end of which they showed on the Jumbotron at Rupp. Even though it gives the ACC a win in the challenge, BBN liked watching the Vols lose.

By:Tyler Thompson

Tonight’s refs…

12/02/2025 08:23:15 PM

…are Don Daily, Joe Lindsay, and K.B. Burdett, Jr. Kentucky is 41-11 in games called by Daily, 89-27 in games called by Lindsay, and 20-10 in games called by Burdett.

By:Tyler Thompson

Mo Dioubate, Jaland Lowe officially out

12/02/2025 08:20:54 PM

As expected, neither Mo Dioubate (ankle) nor Jaland Lowe (shoulder) will play tonight vs. North Carolina. Both are in sweats on the sideline and did not go through warmups.

By:Tyler Thompson

Stein family portrait

12/02/2025 08:03:36 PM

Before making their way to Rupp, the Stein family got their picture taken by the talented Chet White. It’s a good-looking group, even if I wish his mother, Debbie, were also holding a Sissy Cake orange juice cake.

By:Tyler Thompson

Tayshaun Prince in the house?

12/02/2025 07:53:10 PM

Few Wildcats know more about beating North Carolina than Tayshaun Prince. Prince hit five straight threes vs. the Tar Heels in 2001, one of the best memories in the series. According to our own Drew Franklin, he is in Lexington tonight. Prince is now the Vice President of Basketball Affairs for the Memphis Grizzlies and has been spotted around the program often since Mark Pope came on board. Hopefully, he brings the Cats some luck tonight.

Open the Youtube video

By:Tyler Thompson

Will Stein has arrived at Rupp Arena

12/02/2025 06:55:22 PM

Yes, we will see Will Stein at the game tonight; in fact, he’s already arrived, making the rounds almost two hours before tipoff.

By:Tyler Thompson

How to Watch, Listen

12/02/2025 02:24:26 PM

Dick Vitale will be back in Rupp Arena tonight, calling the game alongside Dave O’Brien and Jay Williams for ESPN. It’s the first of two Kentucky games the legendary broadcaster will call this month. On Dec. 13, he, O’Brien, and Charles Barkley will call the Cats’ game vs. Indiana. I’m sure Vitale will get a big ovation tonight at Rupp, his first trip back since stepping aside to focus on his battle with cancer.

・Tipoff: 9:30 p.m. ET

・TV: ESPN (Dave O’Brien, Jay Williams, Dick Vitale)

・Local Radio: UK Sports Network (Tom Leach, Goose Givens)

・AM: 840 WHAS, 630 WLAP

・FM: 98.1 WBUL

・Online: iHeart Radio

・Sirius XM: 106 or 191

Kentucky’s game follows No. 15 Florida at No. 4 Duke on ESPN. Here’s the entire ACC/SEC Challenge Schedule for tonight and tomorrow.

TUESDAY (all times ET)

・7:00 PM (ESPN2): No. 13 Tennessee at Syracuse

・7:00 PM (SEC Network): Virginia Tech at South Carolina

・7:00 PM (ACC Network): Oklahoma at Wake Forest

・7:00 PM (ESPNU): Texas A&M at Pittsburgh

・7:30 PM (ESPN): No. 15 Florida at No. 4 Duke

・9:00 PM (SEC Network): Miami at Ole Miss

・9:00 PM (ACC Network): Georgia at Florida State

・9:00 PM (ESPNU): Missouri at Notre Dame

・9:30 PM (ESPN): No. 16 North Carolina at No. 18 Kentucky

WEDNESDAY

・7:15 PM (ESPN): No. 6 Louisville at No. 25 Arkansas

・7:15 PM (ESPNU): Clemson at No. 12 Alabama

・7:15 PM (ACC Network): LSU at Boston College

・9:15 PM (SEC Network): SMU at No. 17 Vanderbilt

・9:15 PM (ESPN): NC State at No. 20 Auburn

・9:15 PM (ESPNU): Virginia at Texas

・9:15 PM (ACC Network): Mississippi State at Georgia Tech