What channel is Kentucky vs. Providence on today? Time, TV schedule for 2023 March Madness Round 1 game

John Calipari's Kentucky squad will face its first test of the 2023 NCAA Tournament when it takes on Ed Cooley's Providence Friars this Friday night.

Kentucky had an up-and-down season, but the Wildcats comfortably made it back to the big dance after five wins in their last six regular season games. They earned the 6-seed in the East region of the bracket despite crashing out of the SEC Tournament with a loss to Vanderbilt in the quarterfinals. 

The team will be looking to make amends for last season's shocking first round overtime loss to the 15-seeded Saint Peter's Peacocks, who ended up making a memorable run to the Elite Eight before losing to North Carolina. Led by the unanimous 2022 men's national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe, the Wildcats are always a dangerous team to come up against in March.

MORE: Watch 2023 March Madness games live with Sling TV

Their opponents will be the 11-seeded Providence Friars, who snuck into the field with an at-large bid despite losing four out of their last five games coming into the tournament. They are led by former Kentucky player Bryce Hopkins, who spent one season in Lexington before transferring to Providence this offseason.

"God works in mysterious ways,” Hopkins told reporters on Sunday. “Can’t wait to prepare for them. There’s going to be a lot of emotions in that game.”

Head coach Ed Cooley helped lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen last year for the first time since 1997. But with rumors swirling about his future with the program, this could potentially be the last time we see Cooley coaching the Friars. 

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Here's how you can tune in to Kentucky vs. Providence in the NCAA Tournament this Friday:

What channel is Kentucky vs. Providence on today?

• TV Channel: CBS, Sling TV
• Live Stream: NCAA March Madness Live

The matchup between the Wildcats and Friars will be broadcast nationally in the United States on CBS, with Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel and Evan Washburn handling commentary duties. 

You can also stream the game for free on NCAA March Madness Live, or on Sling TV, which offers a free trial for new users. 

Kentucky vs. Providence start time

• Date: Friday, March 17
• Time: 7:10 p.m. ET

Kentucky vs. Providence will be the second game of Friday's evening slate of games. It is scheduled to tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET from the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C.

MORE: Full list of host cities, arenas for March Madness 2023

March Madness schedule 2023

Round 1

Thursday, March 16

Friday, March 17

Round 2

This section will be updated upon the completion of the first round on Friday.

Saturday, March 18

Sunday, March 19

Sweet 16

Thursday, March 23

Friday, March 24

Elite Eight

Saturday, March 25

Sunday, March 26

Final Four

Saturday, April 1

National championship

Monday, April 3