Providence vs Kentucky NCAA Tournament Round 1: How to watch, odds and predictions for March Madness

Providence vs Kentucky represents a shot at NCAA Tournament redemption for Oscar Tshiebwe and the Wildcats, who were upended far earlier than expected in 2022 when they ran into a St. Peter’s team America hadn’t yet fallen in love with.

This year, Kentucky rallied from outside the bracket after early-season scuffles, and rose all the way up to a No. 6 seed, which is still their lowest since 2014 … when they made the final and lost the UCONN. Harbinger, or nothing? Regardless, these kids will be motivated, and it’s up to tenacious guard Jared Bynum and the Friars to knock them back a peg. Ed Cooley will be hyper-motivated to deliver, as Georgetown rumors swirl.

How to watch Providence vs Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament Round 1

Date: Friday, March 17
Time: 7:10 pm ET
Channel: CBS
Streaming: NCAA March Madness Live, fuboTV
Announcers: Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel, Evan Washburn

Providence vs Kentucky NCAA Tournament Round 1 odds

According to BetMGM, Kentucky is a 4.5-point favorite, and you can bet on either team to cover at -110 odds. Providence is a solid +150 to win on the moneyline, while Kentucky is a significant but not overwhelming -185 favorite. The over/under for this one is 145.5, and both the over and under can be had at -110 as well.

Providence vs Kentucky NCAA Tournament Round 1 prediction

Both rosters are fairly experienced, which will be prized in this particular tournament without a clear favorite. Providence, though, is run by a grad student guard in Bynum, who’s a veteran of hostile environments, as well as a coach who consistently gets the most out of his team.

Though Kentucky has about a 57% chance of taking this one home, according to BetMGM’s metrics, expect a tight game full of bricks down the stretch … until Bynum gets to the cup and makes something happen.

Prediction: Providence 66, Kentucky 64