Winless within the NCAA Tournament since 2019, Kentucky will attempt to finish its drought because the No. 6 seed in opposition to No. 11 Providence within the East Regional. Tip-off is ready for 7:10 pm EST Friday night time in Greensboro on CBS. Just a few historic traits favor the Wildcats, with a couple of small exceptions. Let’s get to the unhealthy information first.
Kentucky has by no means received as a No. 6 Seed
This is simply the second time Kentucky has ever earned a No. 6 seed within the NCAA Tournament. The final time it occurred in 1982, issues didn’t go properly for the Wildcats. Joe B. Hall had zero gamers rating in double figures because the Cats have been upset by Middle Tennessee State 50-44 in Nashville.
A Losing Record in Greensboro
Typically the opening spherical video games on the Greensboro Coliseum are reserved for the groups on Tobacco Road, which might be why Kentucky has by no means performed an NCAA Tournament recreation in Greensboro. They haven’t performed a postseason recreation at Greensboro Coliseum, however they did tackle the North Carolina Tar Heels thrice on the impartial web site greater than 50 years in the past. Adolph Rupp defeated Frank McGuire’s group in 1960, however the Cats misplaced to Dean Smith in 1967 and 1973, giving Kentucky a 1-2 at this weekend’s venue.
Kentucky has Never Lost to Providence
Kentucky is an ideal 3-0 in opposition to Providence all-time, with John Calipari proudly owning a pair of wins over Ed Cooley. Four Wildcats have been in double figures in a 79-65 victory over the Friars on the Barclays Center in 2013. The following yr Providence made the journey to Rupp and was suffocated by the 38-0 Cats. The Friars solely made 11 subject targets and the Platoon Squad rolled to a 58-38 win.
The Last Time Kentucky Played a former Cat within the NCAA Tournament
In John Calipari’s first season he confronted a participant from the earlier regime. No. 12 seed Cornell upset Temple and Wisconsin to punch a ticket to the Sweet 16. An essential position participant for the Big Red was 6-foot-9 reserve huge man Mark Coury “The Flurry.” He didn’t play a big position in opposition to his old-fashioned. Coury had 0 factors and a pair of rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench as Kentucky suffocated Cornell in a 62-45 victory.
Kentucky has a Winning Record on St. Patrick’s Day
The Luck of the Irish is usually on Kentucky’s aspect within the Big Dance. Kentucky is 11-4 in NCAA Tournament video games performed on St. Patrick’s Day. Dating again to 1977, the Wildcats have been on a 10-game win streak that was snapped final season by one other Saint… Peter. We ought to’ve seen it coming.
Prior to final season’s upset, there have been many memorable Kentucky victories on St. Catrick’s Day. The most up-to-date win on March 17 silenced Nate Oats, then the top coach at Buffalo. Hamidou Diallo exploded for 22 factors and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 27 within the 95-75 second spherical win. The 2012 National Champs eradicated Royce White and Iowa State on the Yum! Center. A yr prior Brandon Knight didn’t rating a degree till the Cats wanted a game-winner within the remaining seconds over Princeton.
