Kentucky vs. Louisville Prediction, Game Preview

I told Kenny Klein and Paul Rogers 24 hours before the game that it didn’t matter, win or lose, I would speak to our fans through our postgame radio interview and Ralph would speak with the media. Overall, Kentucky went 1-7 in overtime contests under Pitino.

When Louisville and Kentucky renew acquaintances each year, it is usually the only show in town; this year, it will be the only game in college basketball on the day after Christmas. This type of stuff happens in the Louisville-Kentucky rivalry game and I think it’s the best college basketball rivalry.

The Cats tried to go for the knockout early in the second half, building a 16-point edge three minutes into the period, but Pitino’s gritty squad refused to go away. All three players had a hand in staving off a massive Louisville rally and delivering the Wildcats’ their eighth win in nine matchups with the Cardinals during John Calipari’s tenure.

Lee scored a game-high 27 points for the Cardinals (11-2). I’m nearly certain that the UofL coaching staff did not plan on Hawkins beating them from behind the arc, due to his 17 percent three-point percentage.

Hard to say what really happened with the one-finger salute accusation, although Pitino’s explanation doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

As the legendary coach, and former Kentucky head man, was heading back to the locker room, he came faced with a Kentucky heckler, and he probably wishes that he responded a little better.

I would first like to mention that I live and grew up in the Bluegrass State, and no other sporting event besides the Kentucky Derby has been more talked about in my lifetime than this annual game. When Louisville cut the lead to one at 65-64 with 5:34 remaining, Ulis answer with a deep 3-pointer to end a 9-0 Cardinal run.

Senior forward Alex Poythress added 14 points, junior guard Dominique Hawkins 13 and freshman guard Jamal Murray 12.

Wonder if Briscoe’s absence was a factor when the Cats had no much trouble in-bounding the ball in the late going?

The talented and young Wildcats (9-2), replacing seven players who turned pro after last season, are still finding their way after opening No. 2 in the Top 25.

Ulis also had a standout performance against Louisville in 2014, helping lead United Kingdom to a win. And that’s even if freshman point guard Isaiah Briscoe had played, which he did not, due to a freakish pre-game ankle injury. Kentucky has lost to Florida 28 consecutive times.

Coach Greg Todd’s Morehead State women’s team will bring a two-game winning streak into Monday night’s game at UC Santa Clara.

Fortunes changed quickly. With U of L scoring on six straight trips downcourt, Kentucky trailed 23-19 mid-way through the first half.

The bench did supply support for the Wildcats, however, as they supplied 20 points between Derek Willis, Skal Labissiere, Charles Matthews and Hawkins.