November went about as well as it could have gone for Kentucky basketball and new coach Mark Pope. They went 7 – 0 behind one of the top offenses in the country, and a defense that played strong in the biggest moments.
The Wildcats also got a huge upset win over the Duke Blue Devils with a second half comeback behind the defense. Their play has them ranked in the top ten nationally now. They’re sixth in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, and up to fourth in the AP Top 25 Poll.
Related: SEC basketball power rankings after week four
Tonight, Kentucky begins a touch December slate of games. It begins at the SEC/ACC Challenge against the Clemson Tigers. The Tigers are 7 – 1 only loss was to Boise State, but they don’t yet have any signature wins, and haven’t played any ranked teams.
Clemson’s defense is 28th in the country in scoring defense, but will get their biggest test against the Wildcats, who lead the nation in scoring offense. Both teams shoot a lot of three-pointers, which could lead to a fun game to watch.
Here is how to view the game, including the channel, time, and streaming information:
Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
TV Channel: ESPN
Start Time: 9:30 PM ET
Kentucky vs. Clemson will broadcast nationally on ESPN in Week 5 of the 2024-25 college basketball season. Karl Ravich and Jimmy Dykes will call the game at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Kentucky 86 – Clemson 78
Clemson is a good team, with an effective defense, so Kentucky will have to limit turnovers and shoot the ball well. The Wildcats also have to do a better job keeping teams off the offensive glass. If the three-point shot is falling, the Cats should win.
Odds: Kentucky – 1.5
O/U: 155.5
All college basketball odds via BetMGM.
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
- November record: (7 – 0)
- Dec 3: at Clemson
- Dec 7: at Gonzaga
- Dec 11: vs Colgate
- Dec 14: vs Louisville
- Dec 21: vs Ohio State
- Dec 31: vs Brown
Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK
- November record: (7 – 1)
- Dec 3: vs Kentucky
- Dec 7: at Miami
- Dec 14: vs Memphis
- Dec 17: at South Carolina
- Dec 21: vs Wake Forest
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