Two of college basketball's premier programs historically meet once again Saturday, as the North Carolina Tar Heels face the Kentucky Wildcats in the CBS Sports Classic. A matchup of two Top 25 teams, the programs have split the last four meetings, with Kentucky winning the most recent by a final score of 98-69 back in 2021.
Led by head coach Hubert Davis, North Carolina enters Saturday ranked as the nation's No. 9 team according to the latest AP Poll, and are sitting at 7-2 overall for the season, as well as 1-0 in ACC play. The Tar Heels are also coming off an 87-76 neutral-court loss to UConn, which snapped what was previously a three-game winning streak.
One of the ACC's top offensive teams averaging 85.1 PPG, North Carolina also ranks No. 4 in the nation with 21.2 made free throws per game, and have one of the conference's top scorers in RJ Davis at 21 PPG. Allowing 73.7 PPG to opponents, the Tar Heels also have three other double-digit scorers in Armondo Bacot, Harrison Ingram, and Cormac Ryan, while freshman Elliot Cadeau is also a name to know.
Led by head coach John Calipari, Kentucky is ranked as the nation's No. 14 team according to the latest AP Poll, and are also sitting at 7-2 overall for the year. The Wildcats are however coming off a victory in which they defeated Pennsylvania on a neutral-court, 81-66.
Kentucky ranks No. 6 nationally in scoring at 90.6 PPG offensively, with the Wildcats also ranking Top 10 in the country in FG, 3P%, and APG. The Wildcats also allow 72.4 PPG to opponents, and are led by five double-digit scorers in Antonio Reeves, Rob Dillingham, Tre Mitchell, Reed Sheppard, and D.J. Wagner.
North Carolina vs. Kentucky Line, Spread, Over/Under
According to FanDuel, North Carolina is a 1.5-point favorite over Kentucky in the CBS Sports Classic as of Friday, December 15. The over/under is at 163.5, while both the Tar Heels and Wildcats are at -110.
North Carolina vs. Kentucky CBS Sports Classic Prediction
A game that has the potential to be high-scoring, the pick to win Saturday goes to North Carolina. As to why, the Tar Heels have an advantage when it comes to experience, and I'll say that plays a role in this contest on the way to a close North Carolina win. Prediction: North Carolina 81, Kentucky 77
What Channel is the North Carolina vs. Kentucky Game On?
A matchup of Top 25 teams, North Carolina and Kentucky will play Saturday, December 16 at 5:30 PM ET on CBS. The game will be played from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA.
North Carolina vs. Kentucky Live Stream
The CBS Sports Classic can be found on fuboTV.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change