Kentucky’s first basketball opponent in the SEC tournament next week is official.
Ending the season 9-15 overall and 8-9 in the league game, the Wildcats will face Mississippi State Bulldogs on Thursday, with the ET noon (11am CT) match at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
The UK took eighth overall on Saturday with a home win over South Carolina, with MSU finishing as ninth after losing to Auburn.
The winner of the UK-MSU showdown will have the best spot in Alabama on Friday at noon ET, which will be broadcast live on ESPN.
The league will release the final SEC tournament key on Sunday after the Florida-Tennessee game, which is scheduled for ET noon on ESPNU.
Kentucky’s start on Thursday marks the first time the program started its SEC tournament before the quarterfinals for the first time since the tournament’s expansion in 2013, with the UK never winning four games in the conference tournament to win the title since 1952. They were supposed to race to save the season to win the league championship, would score the seventh title under the command of John Calipari and the 32nd overall.
The team’s opening match on Thursday will be televised by the SEC Network with Karl Ravech and Jimmy Dykes on the conference call. If Kentucky wins on Thursday, all Wildcats games will be on ESPN. Both semifinals and the championship game will be broadcast on ESPN at 1 pm ET with Ravech, Dykes and Marty Smith.
SEC tournament fan information can be found below:
Fans attending the 2021 SEC Tournament are encouraged to familiarize themselves with policies related to fan entry and security for the event, including facial coverage of the arena and baggage prohibition policies. Bridgestone Arena will have a capacity of 20% (3,400), due to the restrictions of COVID-19.
Due to the current circumstances related to COVID-19, which requires reduced capacity for sporting events, the SEC will not be able to make tickets available for public purchase. Consistent with audience limitations, teams competing in the 2021 Men’s Basketball Tournament will receive a very limited number of tickets for sale to their fan base.
MOBILE TICKET
The SEC 2021 Men’s Basketball Tournament is an event for mobile tickets only. All fans will need a mobile ticket to enter the stadium. Using the web browser on the phones, all mobile tickets issued by participating teams or the conference can be accessed through the SEC’s mobile login at www.secsports.com/tickets. All tickets purchased through Ticketmaster can be accessed through www.ticketmaster.com or the Ticketmaster app.
Fans are encouraged to store their tickets in their mobile wallets before they arrive to facilitate access to the venue. Screenshots or ticket recordings are not valid for entry. Fans who come to the game with friends or family, must transfer their tickets to them before the day of the game so that they can easily move around the arena.
FACE COVERAGE POLICY
While on the Bridgestone Arena property, guests over 2 years of age must wear a facial cloth or mask (covering their nose and mouth) at all times, including, but not limited to, when guests are inside the building or on the square. Gaiters, bandanas and covers with expiratory valves or vents are prohibited, and the use of face shield does not eliminate the need to use facial cover underneath. A facial cover or mask can be lowered when actively eating or drinking at a designated place to sit.
Any guest who is unable to use a facial cover due to a health problem must notify the Arena at least 24 hours in advance, using the method described below.
- Any guest wishing to obtain a medical exemption should contact the Arena by email [email protected] with the subject line “Request for medical exemption for facial coverage”.
- Include the guest’s name, the game / event the person will be attending and the location of the seat in the email. A designated representative will respond upon receipt of such consultation with further instructions.
- Any guest who requires accommodation that does not notify the Arena using the method described above and attempts to enter the Arena without facial coverage will be denied entry to the Arena.
- Any guest who is unable to use a facial cover due to a medical condition will be required to wear facial protection at all times while on the Bridgestone Arena property, unless necessary when eating or actively drinking at the designated seating location.
The health of our student-athletes, campus communities, fans and the general public is an ongoing priority for the SEC and its member institutions. Fans who participate in the 2021 SEC Tournament must adhere to the following public health guidelines:
- Facial covers are mandatory for everyone in the arena (guests and staff) and must be worn at all times, except when eating and drinking actively in your seat.
- Wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer is available for use throughout Bridgestone Arena. Fans can bring a small, clear bottle of disinfectant to their hands.
- Guests are required to follow all social distance markers displayed throughout Bridgestone Arena. These markers will help everyone in the queue for security screening, restrooms and concessions.
Fans are invited to stay home if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever (equal to or greater than 100.4)
- Cough
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
BAGLESS POLICY
Bridgestone Arena does not have luggage for all events. Items that are normally carried in diapers or baby bags should be carried in a clear bag.
Fans can still bring items like binoculars and cameras (without detachable lenses), as long as they are not in the boxes, as well as smartphones to the arena.
Workers, including the media, will continue to enter the arena through designated gates, where they will be subject to screening and scholarship inspections already in place for the tournament.