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Two of college basketball’s most iconic programs get together Friday night in Lexington, where the 18th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats are set to host the No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT) with TV coverage on ESPN2 and streaming on-demand.
How to watch #18 Kentucky vs. #11 Gonzaga on TV and stream without cable:
When: Friday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT)Where: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky.TV channel: ESPN2Streaming on: FuboTV (free trial) | DirecTV (free trial) | SlingTV (low intro rate) | ESPN Unlimited ($29.99/mo.)
#18 Kentucky vs. #11 Gonzaga: The matchup
Kentucky arrives at the Friday night showdown at Rupp Arena leaking oil with an 0-3 record against ranked teams this season, most recently falling to No. 16 North Carolina (67-64) on its home floor on Tuesday night. That loss sent the Wildcats to 5-3 on the season with three more ranked opponents coming in their next four games, adding No. 22 Indiana and No. 23 St. John’s before Christmas Day and the start of SEC play at No. 12 Alabama on Jan. 3. While Kentucky has been solid defensively, ranking No. 7 nationally in field goal percentage defense (36.4%), and efficient with the nation’s No. 16 assist-to-turnover ratio (1.83), the lack of a true 3-point threat thus far is an ongoing issue for coach Mark Pope to address.
Gonzaga has risen to more challenges this season than Kentucky with ranked wins over No. 23 Creighton (90-63) and No. 8 Alabama (95-85) and Power 4 victories over Oklahoma (83-68) and Maryland (100-61). All those high points came prior to a 101-61 beatdown that came at the hands of No. 7 Michigan in the Players Era Championship Game on Thanksgiving Eve. Friday’s matchup is an opportunity for the Zags to put their best foot forward once again after allowing the Wolverines to hit 60% of their field goals and 48% of their 3-point attempts.
#18 Kentucky vs. #11 Gonzaga: Know your live streams
FuboTV (free trial): FuboTV offers the most extensive package of live sports with rates competitive with DirecTV. The FuboTV Pro Package ($54.99) includes ESPN Unlimited, but the Elite with Sports Plus package ($74.99) is required for NFL Red Zone. Monthly rates rise to $84.99 and $104.99 after the first-month discount.
DirecTV (free trial): DirecTV offers a 5-day free trial and $49.99 first month ($89.99 after) with a current offer for $40 off the first full month. DirecTV’s Entertainment package ($49.99) carries ESPN Unlimited and NFL Red Zone on its channel lineup.
SlingTV (low intro rate): Full month of streaming runs as low as $45.99 with day passes available for 24 hours ($4.99), Friday-Sunday ($9.99) and 7-day access ($14.99). Most noteworthy omission is CBS, which carries college football and NFL games.
ESPN Unlimited ($29.99 bundle): ESPN has a new, standalone package that includes ABC broadcasts, all of ESPN’s sports channels, and access to ESPN+. For a limited time, ESPN can be bundled with Disney Plus and Hulu for $29.99 per month. This package is included free in select FuboTV and DirecTV plans, along with other TV providers.