LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The magnitude whenever Kentucky and Louisville are playing each other on the hardwood is always palpable. But with the game between the Wildcats and Cardinals happening on Veteran’s Day, Tuesday, there’s a different magnitude with the Bluegrass Rivalry being played in just the third game of the season for both teams.
Still, though, the intensity on Tuesday night at the KFC Yum! Center is going to be at a high level. Louisville has the makings of what could be a really good team this season. Kentucky head coach Mark Pope understands as well as anybody what this games means for Big Blue Nation and the state of Kentucky.
Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey has revived the program in just one season, and it’s great for the Bluegrass State and college basketball. When both Kentucky and Louisville are really good, the sport is better because of it. Tuesday night is a top 15 matchup with bragging rights in the state up for grabs just three games into the season.
Scoring over 100 points in both of their games, the Cardinals have been electric on offense through their first two games. They have attempted 65 three-pointers through two games, making 22 of them. The Cardinals put up a lot of shots, and they give themselves second chances on the offensive glass. For a Kentucky team that has experience, talent, and versatility, this is going to be a test for the youth that’s on Kentucky’s roster.
Let’s look at the Cardinals and keys to the game ahead of tonight’s Bluegrass Rivalry.
Keys to the Game
1. Rebounding
Lousiville is a really good rebounding team, with 96 through its first two games. The Cardinals also have 27 offensive rebounds through two games. Again, it’s only been two games, but early indications are this Cardinals team can rebound the ball at a high level. Kentucky can too, though, with 101 rebounds through two games. The intensity both teams will bring to the glass tomorrow will be at an ultra-physical level. Whichever team wins the rebounding battle will win the game.
2. Taking care of the ball
The Cardinals are also quick and can play at a helter-skelter pace. They’ve done that through two games, forcing 37 turnovers and allowing just 15 assists from their two opponents. In addition, the Cardinals also have 23 steals. Kentucky has 48 assists to 19 turnovers through two games, including 27-6 on Friday against Valparaiso. A similar performance to that will be vital playing in Louisville tonight.
3. On-ball defense
One thing that has stood out to me on tape is how much pop there is when Louisville moves the ball on offense. That “pop” has led to 65 three-point attempts through two games, with 22 makes. The Wildcats on-ball defense and making it difficult for the Cardinals to move the ball and get good looks may be the most important key to a win Tuesday night. This is where having Jaland Lowe healthy is going to be a crucial component for the Wildcats.
4. Offensive efficiency
Of course, Lowe is most valuable to the Wildcats on the offensive end of the floor. It wasn’t hard to to notice how much more flow there was to the offense Friday night with Lowe facilitaing it.
In their win over the Cardinals last season, Kentucky shot 58.2 percent from the floor, including 11-21 from three-point range. That efficiency will be needed Tuesday night in Louisville. The Wildcats cannot afford to have scoreless droughts that last multiple minutes, and they also cannot just launch a bunch of ill-advised three-pointers. It’s not just about matching the intensity tonight will bring. Being able to efficient on offense will put the pressure on the Cardinals and, potentially, take the crowd out of the game.
Score Prediction: Wildcats 84 – Cardinals 83
This game tonight is going to be outstanding. Both teams are going to be playing deep into March, and this is an early season marquee matchup for both teams. Louisville hasn’t been this close to Kentucky’s level in several years, and its fans are going to be ready to rock tonight.
The Wildcats have the experience that Louisville doesn’t have. When push comes to shove, Kentucky has the dogs that can take over a game when it matters. Otega Oweh did it down the stretch against Louisville last year, among many games he took over. He’s the kind of player you want in your corner going into a rivalry game like this on Tuesday night.
In what could be one of the best non-conference games this college basketball season, Kentucky will edge Louisville in a classic tonight.
