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Sights and sounds from Kentucky's win over North Carolina

Jack PIlgrimby:Jack Pilgrim•12/17/23
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Photo by Dr. Michael Huang | Kentucky Sports Radio

It was an all-time night, the Kentucky Wildcats taking down the North Carolina Tar Heels in Atlanta for the CBS Sports Classic. The evening included high-level play and a number of big guests, among other in-person sights and sounds you don’t want to miss. KSR was in attendance for all of them. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

Boombox guy for the win (again)

Kentucky’s pregame vibes were immaculate once again thanks to the program’s go-to boombox guy, better known as Will Summers. He was a star ahead of the matchup vs. Kansas in Chicago, and that storyline presented itself once again in the underbelly of State Farm Arena.

Couldn’t be better.

John Wall was in the building

You may have seen him courtside on television, maybe in person if you attended the game on Saturday. Either way, you know that John Wall was in the building for the team’s big win.

The former Wildcat was the program’s biggest fan in Atlanta and it wasn’t even close.

Wall continues to hang around the program that started it all with him back in 2009-10, this season specifically.

Somto Cyril checks in with BBN

When the Kentucky signee wasn’t sitting with John Short, he was checking in with Big Blue Nation inside State Farm Arena. KSR caught up with Cyril at the game and asked the four-star center to share a message with the fanbase of his future school.

“What’s up, BBN? It’s Somto Cyril right here, checking in on the game today,” he said. “I’m here to support the boys out here, show them love in The A. Appreciate you.”

It won’t be long before Cyril makes his way to Lexington and starts the process for himself.

Hello, Caleb Wilson

Speaking of recruits, an important one was in the stands soaking in the Wildcats’ win over the Tar Heels. 2025 five-star wing Caleb Wilson was a guest and stayed from start to finish. Holding offers from both Kentucky and North Carolina, it made sense for the Atlanta native to pop over and check out two potential options in person.

Not a bad game to watch — and certainly doesn’t hurt Kentucky’s chances.

An unreal half-court heave

I’ve seen more airballs and bricks in half-court contests than I care to count. It’s always fun to watch, even if the product is rarely worthwhile.

Until tonight, when a UNC fan pounded the rock and let that sucker fly, resulting in an all-time make.

Bring him to Rupp Arena (with the right color of blue).

A win with the Wilson Evo NXT

KSR videographer Steven Peake absolutely despises the Wilson Evo NXT, a new basketball that has directly contributed to Kentucky’s biggest losses, particularly in the NCAA Tournament. The bright orange ball is lighter with extra grip, shooting numbers taking a dip as a result. The game’s best go ice-cold when this ball is near, for whatever reason. Ohio State and UCLA combined to shoot 2-24 from three in the game before.

Against the Tar Heels, though, the ball finally made it through the basket in the form of a 42% shooting effort overall and 35% from three with 87 points scored in the game.

North Carolina was no slouch, finding a way to make 47.4% of its shots and 33.3% from deep. But it’s about the Cats’ getting this monkey off their back, and they did just that in the 87-83 win. The ball isn’t going anywhere, might as well figure out a way to make it work.

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