The Troy Trojans (23-10) will head in to battle to face off against the Kentucky Wildcats (22-11) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament tonight on national television. 

Troy enters the Midwest Region of the bracket as the No. 14 seed, facing off against No. 3 seed Kentucky in Milwaukee Wis. It’s the first time the Trojans have played in the NCAA Tournament since 2017 and it’s the first time that Troy and Kentucky have played since 2017. Additionally, it’s also just the second time the two sides have ever met on the hardwood. In 2017, Kentucky defeated Troy by a score of 70-62 on Nov. 20, 2017. 

Troy finished the 2024-2025 season with a 23-10 record, winning regular season Co-Conference Champions along with winning the Sun Belt Tournament Championship. Kentucky finished the season with a 22-11 record, falling in the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals to Alabama. 

“We’ve had a great week of practice,” Troy Coach Scott Cross said. “Selection Sunday was an awesome day and we got back to work on (Monday) and we had really great days of practice. The guys are locked in and executed about the journey. We’re going in with the mentality to win the basketball game and not just going (up) there to show up. We plan on winning and I think our guys have the right mentality.” 

Kentucky finished the regular season winning three of its last four before going 1-1 in the SEC Tournament. Meanwhile, Troy comes into the NCAA Tournament on a six-game winning streak, dating back to Feb. 22. In fact, since losing two straight at the beginning of February, Troy has won eight of its last nine games.

“They’re super talented, one of the best offensive teams in the country,” Cross said of Kentucky. “They shoot it as good as anyone in the country. Koby Brea is super elite with his three-point shooting. You can’t give him open looks. Lamont Butler will give them a boost coming back, toughness is in their DNA defensively.

“They’re very, very talented and can really pass. Amari Williams presents matchup problems with his ability to pass the ball. They’re physical and strong and can play five-out style and when you have big men that can pass it like they do, it’s difficult to defend.” 

Troy is led by Sun Belt Player of the Year Tayton Conerway, averaging 14.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.9 steals per game. Conerway broke the single season steals record at Troy this season. Kentucky is led by All-SEC guard Otega Oweh, who averages 16.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game. 

“He’s a dynamic player, a tough matchup,” Cross said of Oweh. “He plays so physical and is so good at getting to the basket. He’s not going to be an easy matchup for anyone. They have so many different ways they can score.” 

Kentucky brings the No. 4 scoring offense in the country into this contest, averaging 85.3 points per game, while Troy’s scoring defense is ranked 25th, giving up 65.4 points per game. Kentucky is ranked 317th in the country in scoring defense, giving up 77.9 points per game, while Troy’s scoring offense is 172nd in the country, averring 73.9 points per game. 

The Trojans also also ranked sixth in the country in offense rebounding and 30th in total rebounding, while Kentucky is 32nd in total rebounds and seventh in defensive rebounding. The Trojans are also seventh in the nation in steals, while the Trojans are 318th in the country in turnovers lost. Kentucky is 115th in turnovers, averaging 11.1 turnovers per game. Troy is 25th in the nation in blocks and Kentucky is 80th in the NCAA. 

While Cross emphasized that he knows Troy has a tall order for an upset against Kentucky, he and his team are confident they can get it done. 

“We know they have one of the biggest followings probably anywhere in the country,” he said. “They’re a ‘Blue Blood,” we know all eyes are going to be on that game being on CBS in primetime. We know it’s not an easy task but every year it seems like one 14 (seed) upsets a three (seed), so why not Troy? We believe it can happen and believe if we play the type of basketball we’re capable of we can beat anybody. Lay it all on the line and we know the pressure is on Kentucky and not on us. Our guys have an opportunity to shock the world and show everybody what Troy Basketball is all about.” 

Troy and Kentucky will meet at 6:10 p.m. on Friday, March 21, at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis. on CBS.