NKU to face Kentucky in first NCAA tournament appearance

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 12: Malik Monk #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the championship game at the 2017 Men’s SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 12: Malik Monk #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats drives against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the championship game at the 2017 Men’s SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Northern Kentucky will make its NCAA tournament debut against one the sports blue bloods when the Norse take on Kentucky on Friday in Indianapolis.

It its first year of eligibility since reclassifying from Division II, NKU (24-10) won the Horizon League and earned a No. 15 seed in the South Region. The Wildcats (29-5), fresh off winning the Southeastern Conference tournament championship Sunday against Arkansas, are the No. 2 seed.