Carolina Blue visits the Land of the Bluegrass Saturday afternoon for a battle between the two programs who have won the most games in college basketball history. After starting the season with seven straight wins, No. 5 Kentucky has1,995 wins, good for first all-time. No. 10 North Carolina is just behind them in second with 1,991.
But the story of this year's game between the Tar Heels and Wildcats isn't tradition, it's youth. SB Nation's North Carolina site, Carolina March, says the Heels have a slight experience edge onover Kentucky.
The other thing about Kentucky is that they are, shockingly, younger than the Heels. Three of their top six players by minutes-played being freshmen, and another two sophomores. UNC, for all the freshmen they put out on the floor, still start two seniors, two sophomores, and a junior. If you're going to take on a talented team (and they are packed with raw talent) like the Wildcats, the best time to do so is early in the season when they haven't faced much adversity.
A Sea of Blue, has an amazingly detailed and interactive preview of today’s game that you really need to check out.
No, really. Go NOW!
For all of the attention John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins have received during the early season, this will be their first legitimate national television appearance. UNC’s youngsters, featuring John Henson and the Wear twins, have already been on ESPN or ESPN2 alone three times.
No. 5 Kentucky 68, No. 10 North Carolina 66
The Tar Heels came back in the second half, thanks to John Wall's departure with cramps and some UK miscues, but they couldn't do enough.
Tar Heel game discussion at Carolina March
Wildcat game discussion at A Sea of Blue
For more on today’s other televised matchups, check out my rundown over at Blogging the Bracket.