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Kentucky Basketball: 2020-21 keys to beating North Carolina in CBS Sports Classic

By Nathan Dillon

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 26: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels and head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats walk off the court before their game during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 26, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 26: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels and head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats walk off the court before their game during the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regional at FedExForum on March 26, 2017 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Kentucky Basketball faces North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic. What must the Wildcats do to come out with a win?

The CBS Sports Classic saw a last-minute change on Wednesday, updating the matchups for Saturday’s schedule. Kentucky Basketball will no longer play UCLA, who has been paired with Ohio State. The Wildcats will now face North Carolina, another young team that has experienced some growing pains this season.

While this isn’t exactly the Final Four-caliber game we usually see them play, it’s still Kentucky-North Carolina. It’s still the two greatest college basketball programs. It’s still nationally televised.

So, what are the keys for Kentucky to beat the Tar Heels, and get some positive momentum going for the rest of the season?

Take care of the ball

Kentucky turns the ball over more frequently than its opponents. Fortunately, so does North Carolina. Protecting the rock will be paramount for both teams. How does this look for Kentucky?

Kentucky’s recent lineup adjustments will be something to watch play out. Terrence Clarke and Davion Mintz have split time at the point guard spot, while Devin Askew has been moved off-ball. Clarke, an athletic 6’7” wing, is far from a traditional lead guard.

He may be the best option, though. In the past, Coach Calipari has used similar players (i.e. Darius Miller, Archie Goodwin) in point guard roles – albeit with mixed results. At this point, the Wildcats want to begin possessions with the ball in the hands of their best playmaker.

Kentucky averages 17 turnovers per game. Get that number closer to 10 and they’ll be preserving possessions and taking more shots. At the very least, though, just make sure you have fewer turnovers than North Carolina.

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