Typically when you think of the North Carolina Tar Heels and Kentucky Wildcats squaring off, it’s oftentimes with high stakes. But right now, the two Blue Blood programs are hanging on for their lives in the 2023 NCAA Tournament Bracketology.
ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has released his updated Bracketology ahead of a big weekend of games here on Friday. Both North Carolina and Kentucky are in the ‘last four in’ column and Lunardi has them squaring off as No. 11 seeds in Dayton.
That’s disappointing for both programs as UNC entered the year as the preseason No. 1 and Kentucky was close behind at No. 4. Now, both are fighting for their tournament lives and a loss this weekend could move them out of the field.
For North Carolina, they begin a tough five-game stretch to close out the year on Sunday with a date at NC State. They beat the Wolfpack at home earlier this year but this will be a tough road environment. Kentucky has a big opportunity of their own, hosting No. 11 Tennessee with the chance at a Quad 1 win.
A win for both teams would improve their resume drastically.
Other No. 11 seeds include Wisconsin and Clemson. The Badgers jumped in by beating Michigan this week while Clemson is the last team in the field.
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