Two stock risers from Kentucky's win over the North Carolina Tar Heels

These two Kentucky Wildcats played well against North Carolina.

Andrew Stefaniak | Dec 17, 2023

Two stock risers from Kentucky's win over the North Carolina Tar Heels /

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Kentucky traveled to Atlanta to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels in the CBS Sports Classic. The Cats were able to get a massive win over the Tar Heels, which should have the Kentucky in the top ten when the next AP Poll comes out.

This game was tight late, but the Cats were able to leave with the big win over Blue Blood rival North Carolina.

Let's take a look at two Kentucky Wildcats that played well under the bright lights of State Farm Arena.

Rob Dillingham

Rob Dillingham led the Cats in this game with 17 points while also grabbing three rebounds and dishing out an assist. He has proven that when playing on the big stage, the moment is never too large. Basketball teams often have a "closer," who is the player who can go get a basket late in a game when they need a one, and Dillingham has proven he can do that for John Calipari's team. Every time I watch Dillingham play, I am further convinced he will be a star in the NBA.

Dillingham with two straight buckets for @KentuckyMBB 🔥 pic.twitter.com/3KEsTqziPY
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) December 17, 2023

DJ Wagner

DJ Wagner, like Dillingham, was also a "closer" who made some clutch buckets late for the Cats in this game. Wagner scored 14 points in this game while also grabbing six rebounds and dishing five assists. It seems like Wagner is the player Coach Cal wants to score late in a game. He has that mentality where he thinks to himself, "I am going to go score, and no one can stop me," which is what makes him so special. Wagner will bring Kentucky fans some amazing memories in March.