Three Storylines to Follow as Kentucky Begins NCAA Tournament Run vs. Providence

Three Storylines to Follow as Kentucky Begins NCAA Tournament Run vs. Providence

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Kentucky basketball is facing immense pressure heading into the 2023 NCAA Tournament, as it tries to kick an all-time skid that has witnessed some of the program's lowest-lows over the past few seasons. 

Standing in its way is the Providence Friars out of the Big East. The two teams will throw down inside Greensboro Coliseum on Friday, March 17, with tipoff scheduled for 7:10 p.m. EST. 

Here are storylines to follow as the Wildcats try to go on a run in the Big Dance:

Will Kentucky Kick the Skid?

For John Calipari and the Kentucky program, finding a way to win just one game in this tournament is everything. 

Calipari thought his team had as good of a chance as anyone to win the whole thing when the season was canceled in 2020. What followed that was the worst season in the modern era of the program, as it won just nine games. Then? A fantastic regular season that was quickly struck down in a Round of 64-stunner via the Saint Peter's Peacocks. 

"You know what disappoints me is three years ago — that's not 100 years ago, that's three — we could've won the national title and they canceled the season," Calipari said. "What happened last year, first time in my career. First time in my career and you know what? Hurt like hell. But you move on, and you move to the next. For me, this has got to be a ball, because they are going to feed off of me."

Lots of laughs have been shared by the college basketball world at the expense of Kentucky as of late. Kentucky, the "gold standard" of the sport, can't find a win in the NCAA Tournament. 

While UK won't find satisfaction in just making the Round of 32, just getting past that first game is going to be the difference from the upcoming offseason either being somewhat bearable, or absolutely insufferable, creating a true "make-or-break" season for the incoming 2023 class. 

The Wildcats have seen way too many "for the first time..." stats since the decade began. If Providence defeats Kentucky on Friday, it will be the first time that a four-year UK student will have graduated without seeing a March Madness win in Lexington.

Will Bryce Hopkins Rise to the Occasion?

I won't spend too much time on this one (you can find more here) but it bears repeating the opportunity that awaits former Wildcat Bryce Hopkins. 

After coming to Lexington as another touted recruit, Hopkins didn't see the floor much in his freshman season at UK, averaging just 6.4 minutes in 28 games played. He then hit the transfer portal in the offseason, winding up at Providence, one of the final schools he considered coming out of high school. 

The switch has benefitted the Oak Park, Ill. native and the Friars greatly, as he's entering Friday's game averaging 34.8 minutes while pouring in 16.1 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists-per-game. The big numbers earned Hopkins a First-Team All-Big East nod. 

"Bryce is such a great kid, and he's a terrific basketball player," UK coach John Calipari said Sunday when speaking to reporters. "He had an unbelievable year for them. So the guys smile. We all like him. A player that we enjoyed being around. He is a wonderful person and so is his family."

Now, he gets a chance to show the Wildcats why he should have been playing more last season. The emotions will be running high, as all eyes will be on the forward trying to continue his former team's March woes.

“I can’t wait," Hopkins said. "It’s a lot of emotions gonna be in that game. A lot is gonna be going through my head but I’m ready to lock in, play in this big stage, and hopefully come out with the win.” 

"He’ll probably throw a fastball off the side of the backboard — he’ll be a little bit nervous," Providence coach Ed Cooley said.

Will Hopkins live up to the moment? Will he crumble? The answer will likely fall somewhere in-between. 

Will Sahvir Wheeler Play? If So, How Much? 

Calipari has made it clear that if Sahvir Wheeler practices enough in the lead-up to Friday, the point guard will see the floor against the Friars. 

Wheeler last played against Florida on Feb. 4. He's since suffered from an ankle injury and now a "minor procedure" that is unrelated to the ankle, keeping him out for longer than anticipated. It was thought at one point that he would not return to the court this season. 

"There's nothing that would make me happier than him to impact the game," Calipari said of Wheeler. "And then everybody say 'Man, if we had this dude all year, what would we have been?' Because, when we struggled, a lot of it was guard play." 

The absence of Wheeler has been a burden for the UK backcourt, especially when adding in the injury issues that starting PG Cason Wallace has had to face. Green freshman Adou Thiero, shooting guard Antonio Reeves and even forward Jacob Toppin have had to take the ball up the court during the month of February. 

Wheeler, once the starter, was relegated to a bench role after an up-and-down start to his senior season. He was flourishing in said role up until his injury, though. His last four games before going down with the ankle ailment saw 18 points, 17 assists and only three turnovers. 

It's been nearly six weeks since he played in a game. Will Calipari plunge the veteran into a win-or-go-home scenario? How many minutes is he even capable of playing? Will he even play? 

"I just told him, if it gets rough and you want to step off, I'm okay with you. Because he wouldn't, in all likelihood, be starting anyway. But he practiced a little bit, but wasn't live up in Nashville," Calipari said. 

Nobody on Kentucky has faced more criticism than Wheeler this season. If he does suit up, he'll be walking into a pressure-cooker scenario that will either reward him with gratitude for a job well done, or it'll be....well....you know what the other end of the spectrum holds. 

East Region preview HERE.

WATCH: Calipari, Fredrick, Ware react to draw

More on Bryce Hopkins HERE.

More on the bracket reveal and Kentucky's draw HERE.

Kentucky needs to get healthy, fast. More HERE.

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