NCAA Tournament 2023: Top 10 most likely 1st round upsets to happen

4. 11 Providence over 6 Kentucky

There are so many interesting factors at play in this game, but none might be more intriguing than the role Bryce Hopkins will play. This super-talented sophomore wing has been a godsend for Providence this season after playing a minimal role as a freshman at Kentucky last year. Hopkins is averaging 16.1 points and 8.5 rebounds a game and can knock down shots from outside the arc, but can he get revenge on John Calipari and these Wildcats that he knows pretty well.

The season has been quite the mixed bag for Providence and Ed Cooley, after rebuilding the roster a bit after last year’s run to the Sweet Sixteen. The Friars sat at 14-3 and winners of their first six Big East games before a rougher stretch to end the season, losing their final three games of the year. However, the Friars have been impressive because of the pieces Cooley added, and we’re not just talking about Hopkins. He also snatched Devin Carter from South Carolina and Noah Locke from Louisville and those two starting guards have been vital to the Friars’ success.

Ed Cooley could’ve taken bigger jobs in recent years, but he’s stayed at Providence and is committed to winning this year with the Friars. We’re not just factoring in Hopkins when we consider this matchup; Kentucky has had significant struggles this year. The Wildcats have played much better basketball since the New Year, but have lost twice to Vanderbilt in the last two weeks with two disappointing efforts. If that type of Kentucky team shows up again, Providence will be in the Round of 32 even if Hopkins doesn’t go off.