Two of college basketball’s most storied programs take center stage Tuesday night as the Tar Heels travel to face the Wildcats in a matchup built for a national audience.
A Blueblood Battle Under the Lights
Rupp Arena in Lexington hosts North Carolina against Kentucky, a classic ACC vs. SEC showdown with March implications.
North Carolina Seeks a Bounce Back After a Thanksgiving Stumble
North Carolina enters at 6-1, though momentum took a hit after a lopsided Thanksgiving Day loss to Michigan State. That defeat ended a six-game winning streak that included an impressive early-season victory over Kansas.
The Tar Heels are averaging 83.3 points per game and have won by attacking the paint and defending with consistency. Perimeter shooting has been a weakness at just under 32 percent from deep, but their interior scoring and defensive intensity have carried them through the early schedule.
Kentucky Continues to Build Behind Improved Shooting and Rebounding
Kentucky is 5-2 and trending upward after two straight wins, including a dominant 50-point performance against Tennessee Tech. The Wildcats’ two losses came on the road at Louisville and against Michigan State, both competitive showings.
Mark Pope’s group is scoring 89.9 points per game and sits in the Top 35 nationally. Their perimeter shooting has been a major factor, hitting 10 threes per game at a 35.3 percent clip. Kentucky has also asserted itself on the boards, averaging 42.3 rebounds per game and controlling tempo in most matchups.
North Carolina vs. Kentucky: When and Where
Date: Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025; 8:30 PM CST
Location: Rupp Arena; Lexington, KY
North Carolina vs. Kentucky: Where to Watch or Stream
Watch: ESPN
Stream: FUBOTV
North Carolina vs. Kentucky: Betting Odds
Spread: Kentucky Wildcats -8.5, North Carolina Tar Heels +8.5
Moneyline: Kentucky Wildcats -360, North Carolina Tar Heels +280
Total: 159.5
North Carolina vs. Kentucky: Series History
All-Time Series: Kentucky leads 12-9
Last Meeting: Kentucky beat North Carolina 87-83 on December 16th, 2023
Projected Starting Lineups
North Carolina Tar Heels
#8 Caleb Wilson – 19.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg
#13 Henri Veesaar – 15.9 ppg, 8.3 rpg
#7 Seth Trimble – 14.5 ppg
#0 Kyan Evans – 7.9 ppg
#15 Jarin Stevenson – 7.9 ppg
Luka Bogavac has made five starts and averages 12 points per game.
Kentucky Wildcats
#1 Denzel Aberdeen – 14 ppg
#0 Otega Oweh – 13 ppg
#5 Collin Chandler – 11.7 ppg
#23 Mouhamed Dioubate – 11.6 ppg
#24 Malachi Moreno – 10.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg
What to Expect in a Primetime Blueblood Classic
Hubert Davis and Mark Pope bring two rosters loaded with young, elite talent into one of college basketball’s most intense arenas. The atmosphere will feel like a Sweet 16 preview, and both teams look capable of making deep NCAA Tournament runs.
Kentucky has been difficult to beat at home, but North Carolina has the firepower to push the Wildcats for forty minutes. Expect a fast-paced, highly skilled matchup with postseason-level energy.
Enjoy the game!