Kentucky vs. Kansas State live score, updates, highlights from 2023 March Madness Round 2 game

Kentucky and Kansas State were able to avoid first-round upsets in the 2023 NCAA Tournament’s East region. Now, the two will engage in an all-Wildcats battle to get to the Sweet 16.

Kentucky (22-11, 12-6 SEC) is the lower seed in the matchup (No. 6), but the John Calipari-coached squad is a popular pick to upset Kansas State. The Wildcats are coming off a 61-53 win over Providence, a game during which they dominated on the glass thanks to a whopping 25 rebounds from Oscar Tshiebwe.

Tshiebwe will once again be a key player to watch for Kentucky in this matchup, as his rebounding prowess — he averaged an NCAA-best 13.5 per game — will be important in competing with Kansas State, which has more size than Providence. Pure scorer Anthony Reeves (14.6 points per game) and versatile forward Jacob Toppin will also play a critical role in executing Kentucky’s offense, as Toppin will help Tshiebwe crash the offensive glass.

As for Kansas State (24-9, 11-7 Big 12), the No. 3-seed Wildcats will have a chance to withstand Kentucky’s relentless glass-crashing and interior-scoring ability thanks to their size. That said, forward Kenyontae Johnson and guard Markquis Nowell, both seniors, will be the team’s top players. Each averages more than 34 minutes per game and they contribute 34.5 points per contest combined.

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Johnson’s name will be familiar to most, as he suffered a scary collapse that led to a medically-induced coma two years ago while playing at Florida. He has successfully come back from that and will now look to help first-year head coach Jerome Tang lead his Wildcats to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2018.

The winner of this contest will earn a date with the winner of the Marquette vs. Michigan State in the wide-open East region bracket. With No. 1 seed Purdue already out thanks to Fairleigh Dickinson, the winner of the Wildcats clash should have an easier-than-expected path to the Final Four.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Kentucky vs. Kansas State on Sunday. Check out the latest news and updates from the NCAA Tournament game.

Kentucky vs. Kansas State score

Kentucky vs. Kansas State live updates, highlights from 2022 March Madness

(All times Eastern)

3:30 p.m. — Cason Wallace just took a knee to the head from his teammate, Oscar Tshiebwe. He will head to the bench, as starters from both teams are now dealing with injuries.

3:27 p.m. — Big swing: Kansas State misses an open 3 on one end and CJ Fredrick knocks one down on the other end. That gives Kentucky a 20-15 lead.

3:26 p.m. — Desi Sills is coming off the floor and is walking with a limp. It isn’t yet clear exactly what is bothering him, but the officials stopped play to let him off the court.

3:24 p.m. — Calipari is encouraging his team to play physically with how this game has started. He also told Evan Washburn that he wants to run the pick and roll more, especially with Oscar Tshiebwe performing well in the paint.

3:22 p.m. — One player that Kentucky should look to continue to exploit on defense is Markquis Nowell. While the point guard is a dynamic passer and scorer, he is only 5-8. Kentucky has the size needed to make plays against Nowell consistently, as Chris Livingston proved while scoring over him after driving him into the paint.

3:21 p.m. — Desi Sills just went up for a monster one-handed jam attempt. He couldn’t quite convert it with his left hand, but he will get two free throws after the third media timeout. Kentucky still leads 17-11.

3:20 p.m. — Keyontae Johnson gets on the board with 8:20 left to go in the half. However, the ball was probably not going into the basket. He gets the benefit of a goaltending call which cuts Kentucky’s lead to 17-11.

3:18 p.m. — Kansas State is fighting hard to tie up Kentucky and get to every loose ball. They have already forced three tie-ups, including two of Tshiebwe, who is getting a rest with seven points and seven rebounds.

3:17 p.m. — Tang’s goal is coming to fruition, as Kansas State has taken three consecutive shots in the paint. Only one has fallen, but the shots are of a higher quality.

3:15 p.m. — Jerome Tang did a mid-half interview with CBS’ Evan Washburn. His goal? He wants to see his players get to the paint more. He doesn’t like that they are settling for so many 3-point shots, especially since they have missed all seven of them thus far.

3:14 p.m. — It has been a quiet start for Kansas State’s Keyontae Johnson. He averages 17.7 points per game but hasn’t found the basket yet with 11:28 left in the first half. He has taken just two shots, so perhaps Jerome Tang will look to get the ball in his hands more often to spark the Wildcats’ dormant offense.

3:12 p.m. — Cason Wallace follows up his 3-point make by making a steal two possessions later as Kansas State looked to get out in transition. He lays it in for two and draws a foul. Kentucky leads 14-7 at the second media timeout and Wallace will have a chance to extend the lead after the commercial.

Cason Wallace is EVERYWHERE 😮#MarchMadness @KentuckyMBB pic.twitter.com/JFFqauRzTb

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023

3:11 p.m. — We have our first 3-point make! Cason Wallace drills one in double coverage to beat the shot clock.

3:09 p.m. — Oscar Tshiebwe makes a low-post basket through contact and converts a 3-point play. He has seven points and is outscoring K-State on his own through seven minutes, as Kentucky leads 9-5.

Oscar Tshiebwe is LOCKED IN 🔒#MarchMadness @KentuckyMBB pic.twitter.com/RDely5qFX4

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023

3:08 p.m. — Markquis Nowell found his teammate Desi Sills to give Kansas State just its second bucket. He tried another pass under the bucket, but it went out of bounds for a turnover.

Markquis Nowell with the VISION 👀#MarchMadness @KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/u58ZVXxPLN

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023

3:06 p.m. — Both teams are having trouble shooting in general, but they are having a lot of trouble making shots from deep. Five minutes into the game, neither team has made a 3-point shot. They have had their opportunities, though Kentucky tends not to take too many shots behind the arc.

3:03 p.m. — Kentucky’s one non-Tshiebwe bucket so far came on a nice dunk from Jacob Toppin. Smooth stuff.

AIN’T NO STOPPIN’ JACOB TOPPIN 😤#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/NvdOEEBPP7

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023

3:02 p.m. — Kentucky has a 6-3 lead at the first TV timeout. Tshiebwe has been excellent for the Wildcats so far but Kansas State is doing what it can to deny him too many offense boards. Kentucky players not named Tshiebwe are shooting just 1 of 7 from the field, matching the Kansas State team’s performance from the field.

3:00 p.m. — Tshiebwe is such a bully on the low block, as he already has five rebounds, three of which have come on the offensive end. He has four points but just picked up his first foul fighting for another board.

Oscar Tshiebwe is a MACHINE on the glass 😤#MarchMadness @KentuckyMBB pic.twitter.com/r3z59FdE2i

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 19, 2023

2:58 p.m. — The pace is more than a bit out of control. We’ve played just 2:28 of the game and there have already been nine shots, seven rebounds and three steals. Kansas State has a 3-2 lead early.

2:56 p.m. — Oscar Tshiebwe won the tip, but Kansas State scores first. They lay-in after a frenetic first minute, which saw Kentucky and Tshiebwe get several offensive boards but Antonio Reeves miss several 3-point shots.

2:54 p.m. — Ian Eagle (play-by-play) and Jim Spanarkel (analyst) are on the call today with Evan Washburn on the sidelines. Tip-off is now imminent.

2:53 p.m. — You’re going to hear Jacob Toppin’s name a lot for Kentucky and you may find yourself wondering if he is of any relation to Knicks forward Obi Toppin. Sporting News has more on their connection here.

2:50 p.m. — Markquis Nowell will be fun to watch today. The 5-8 guard has unlimited range and averages 7.8 assists per game this season. That’s second in the NCAA to only Saint Louis’ Yuri Collins. He should be a sparkplug for Kansas State, though he may face challenges against a longer Kentucky team.

2:40 p.m. — No big surprises in the starting five for either side. Oscar Tshiebwe will lead Kentucky while Keyontae Johnson will be the star for Kansas State. Tip-off is in about 15 minutes.

Our five to start us off. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/yeroski1Be

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) March 19, 2023

Sunday starters#KStateMBB x #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/KTSJFOh3Am

— K-State Men’s Basketball (@KStateMBB) March 19, 2023

2:13 p.m. — In case you’re wondering, many believe that Kentucky will win this game. That includes sportsbooks, as BetMGM has Calipari’s squad listed as 3.5-point favorites for this game. So, if you think Kansas State will win, there may be some value in betting them to do so.

2:01 p.m. — Both teams also posted photos of each arriving at the arena on Sunday. Each squad looks locked in for this 3 vs. 6 seed matchup.

Go time. #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/gP9aafVjAf

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) March 19, 2023

Believe it#KStateMBB x #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/472Vanbjj3

— K-State Men’s Basketball (@KStateMBB) March 19, 2023

The time is now#KStateMBB x #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/QOC303c9Mz

— K-State Men’s Basketball (@KStateMBB) March 19, 2023

1:56 p.m. — Kansas State dropped a hype video ahead of their matchup with Kentucky. So, if you’re looking to get excited about K-State, you can check it out below:

Whatever it takes#KStateMBB x #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/j24ZkvV9W6

— K-State Men’s Basketball (@KStateMBB) March 19, 2023

Fight Night: Part 2#KStateMBB x #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/1KhyC6707U

— K-State Men’s Basketball (@KStateMBB) March 19, 2023

1:20 p.m. — In case you’re wondering, Kentucky will be in blue for today’s game while Kansas State will wear their white jerseys with purple trim. Below is a look at each uniform.

For Kentucky. #GoBigBlue pic.twitter.com/x65GsBqMZ6

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) March 19, 2023

GAME DAY

🆚 Kentucky – 1:40 PM CT
😼 NCAA Second Round
📺 https://t.co/m1jjBqcez6 (CBS)
🎙 https://t.co/GN6HY6yInu
📊 https://t.co/Y7UaW4hzsH#KStateMBB x #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/MhcRdUAI7V

— K-State Men’s Basketball (@KStateMBB) March 19, 2023

What channel is Kentucky vs. Kansas State on today?

• TV channel: CBS
• Live stream: NCAA March Madness live

Basketball fans hoping to watch the battle of Wildcats can find it on CBS. There will also be a live stream of the game available on NCAA March Madness live.

MORE: Watch NCAA Tournament games live with Sling TV

Kentucky vs. Kansas State start time

• Date: Sunday, March 19
• Time: 2:40 p.m. ET

The second-round game between Kentucky and Kansas State will tip off at 2:40 p.m. ET from the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C. on Sunday.

March Madness schedule 2023

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