John Calipari's Kentucky squad will face its first test of the 2023 NCAA Tournament when it takes on Ed Cooley's Providence Friars this Friday night.
Kentucky had an up-and-down season, but the Wildcats comfortably made it back to the big dance after five wins in their last six regular season games. They earned the 6-seed in the East region of the bracket despite crashing out of the SEC Tournament with a loss to Vanderbilt in the quarterfinals.
The team will be looking to make amends for last season's shocking first round overtime loss to the 15-seeded Saint Peter's Peacocks, who ended up making a memorable run to the Elite Eight before losing to North Carolina. Led by the unanimous 2022 men's national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe, the Wildcats are always a dangerous team to come up against in March.
MORE: Watch 2023 March Madness games live with Sling TV
Their opponents will be the 11-seeded Providence Friars, who snuck into the field with an at-large bid despite losing four out of their last five games coming into the tournament. They are led by former Kentucky player Bryce Hopkins, who spent one season in Lexington before transferring to Providence this offseason.
"God works in mysterious ways,” Hopkins told reporters on Sunday. “Can’t wait to prepare for them. There’s going to be a lot of emotions in that game.”
Head coach Ed Cooley helped lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen last year for the first time since 1997. But with rumors swirling about his future with the program, this could potentially be the last time we see Cooley coaching the Friars.
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Here's how you can tune in to Kentucky vs. Providence in the NCAA Tournament this Friday:
What channel is Kentucky vs. Providence on today?
- TV Channel: CBS, Sling TV
- Live Stream: NCAA March Madness Live
The matchup between the Wildcats and Friars will be broadcast nationally in the United States on CBS, with Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel and Evan Washburn handling commentary duties.
You can also stream the game for free on NCAA March Madness Live, or on Sling TV, which offers a free trial for new users.
Kentucky vs. Providence start time
- Date: Friday, March 17
- Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
Kentucky vs. Providence will be the second game of Friday's evening slate of games. It is scheduled to tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET from the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.
MORE: Full list of host cities, arenas for March Madness 2023
March Madness schedule 2023
Round 1
Thursday, March 16
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| (9) Maryland vs. (8) West Virginia | 12:15 p.m. | CBS |
| (13) Furman vs. (4) Virginia | 12:40 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| (10) Utah State vs. (7) Missouri | 1:40 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (16) Howard vs. (1) Kansas | 2 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (16) SE Missouri State/Texas A&M-CC vs. (1) Alabama | 2:45 p.m. | CBS |
| (12) Charleston vs. (5) San Diego State | 3:10 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| (15) Princeton vs. (2) Arizona | 4:10 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (9) Illinois vs. (8) Arkansas | 4:30 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (9) Auburn vs. (8) Iowa | 6:50 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (12) Oral Roberts vs. (5) Duke | 7:10 p.m. | CBS |
| (15) Colgate vs. (2) Texas | 7:25 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (10) Boise State vs. (7) Northwestern | 7:35 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| (16) Northern Kentucky vs. (1) Houston | 9:20 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (13) Louisiana vs. (4) Tennessee | 9:40 p.m. | CBS |
| (10) Penn State vs. (7) Texas A&M | 9:55 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (15) UNC-Asheville vs. (2) UCLA | 10:05 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
Friday, March 17
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| (10) USC vs. (7) Michigan State | 12:15 p.m. | CBS |
| (14) Kennesaw State vs. (3) Xavier | 12:40 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| (14) UC-Santa Barbara vs. (3) Baylor | 1:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (12) VCU vs. (5) Saint Mary's | 2 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (15) Vermont vs. (2) Marquette | 2:45 p.m. | CBS |
| (11) Mississippi State/Pitt vs. (6) Iowa State | 3:10 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| (11) N.C. State vs. (6) Creighton | 4 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (13) Iona vs. (4) UConn | 4:30 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (16) Texas Southern/FDU vs. (1) Purdue | 6:50 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (11) Providence vs. (6) Kentucky | 7:10 p.m. | CBS |
| (12) Drake vs. (5) Miami | 7:25 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (14) Grand Canyon vs. (3) Gonzaga | 7:35 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| (9) Florida Atlantic vs. (8) Memphis | 9:20 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| (14) Montana State vs. (3) Kansas State | 9:40 p.m. | CBS |
| (13) Kent State vs. (4) Indiana | 9:55 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| (11) Arizona State/Nevada vs. (6) TCU | 10:05 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
Round 2
This section will be updated upon the completion of the first round on Friday.
Saturday, March 18
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | Noon | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 2:30 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 5 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 6 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 7 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 7:30 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 9:30 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
Sunday, March 19
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | Noon | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 2:30 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 5 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 6 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 7 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 7:30 p.m. | TruTV, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:30 p.m. | TNT, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 9:30 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
Sweet 16
Thursday, March 23
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 6:15 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 7 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:45 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 9:30 | CBS |
Friday, March 24
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 6:15 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 7 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:45 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 9:30 | CBS |
Elite Eight
Saturday, March 25
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 6 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:30 p.m. | TBS, Sling TV |
Sunday, March 26
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 2 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 4:55 p.m. | CBS |
Final Four
Saturday, April 1
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 6 p.m. | CBS |
| TBD vs. TBD | 8:30 p.m. | CBS |
National championship
Monday, April 3
| Game | Time (ET) | TV |
|---|---|---|
| TBD vs. TBD | 9 p.m. | CBS |