Louisville at Kentucky - Saturday, 3:30 PM on CBS

• Azubuike24

  

  For the first time in probably 3 years, UK comes in with what looks to be the stronger and deeper squad. The Cats did beat U of L four years ago in Rupp and three years ago at Freedom Hall, but Gillispie's teams were 0-2 against the Cards including a 14-point loss the last time the teams met at Rupp Arena.
  
  UK enters the game at 14-0 and ranked 3rd in the nation. They have looked dominant in almost every facet of the game since beating North Carolina, Connecticut and Indiana back to back to back 3 weeks ago. Since then, the Cats have won by an average of 31.5 PPG.
  
  UL enters the game 10-3 and winners of 5 straight since losing back to back games against Western Carolina and Charlotte. Although they haven't beaten any big names in that stretch, they did have convincing wins over USF, Western Kentucky, Radford and Oral Roberts, all possible NCAA Tournament teams.
  
  The key to this game is going to be how Terrence Jennings and Samardo Samuels handle Patrick Patterson and DeMarcus Cousins. UK has a huge advantage inside, and if you include Daniel Orton, they could feast on the Cards on the interior all day. If those guys get out to an early start, it opens things up for John Wall and his ability to score with the drive and kick the ball out to guys like Bledsoe, Dodson and Miller who are really starting to contribute in this offense.
  
  I believe for Louisville to win, they will have to exploit the major weakness of Kentucky thus far, 3-point defense. The Cats rank in the bottom third in division one at defending the three and the Cards have numerous players capable of getting hot. If they don't hit outside shots, I believe UK wins in a route.
  
  To break it down, Kentucky has the advantage at possibly every starting spot. It will be interesting to see Preston Knowles, a known shut down defender try to handle John Wall.
• Laley23

  

  Close for awhile on pure energy from Pitino's bunch, but UK has the deeper and far more talented team. Id expect about a 10 pt victory for the Cats.
• Mulva

  

  A lot of dirty play here in the early going. Cousins just threw a bow into a guys face on the ground.
• thedynasty1998

  

  Kentucky runs away with this one. Kentucky and Calipari make a HUGE statement today!
• GOONx19

  

  What a start! I lost count, but I'm pretty sure there were like 5 personal fouls and 3 technicals in the first minute. And there probably should've two technicals 8 seconds into it that never got called.
• wildcats20

  

  Almost 9 minutes and the Cards have yet to make a bucket.
• Mulva

  

  Louisville's offense is pathetic. They shoot like a high school wrestling team.
• thedynasty1998

  

  Louisville plays defense, so they can keep it close. Kentucky made some bad mistakes to let Louisville keep it close. Showed their age in the first half.
• killer_ewok

  

  Tied at 41 with about 10 minutes to go in regulation.
• wildcats20

  

  Kentucky is absolutely lost without Wall on the floor.
• killer_ewok

  

  UK ahead by double digits with under 4 to play. It's a wrap.
• Mulva

  

  Patterson just got denied hard by the rim. Big swing as Louisville is right back within 7.
• killer_ewok

  

  Down to 7 with 2:15 to play. I spoke too soon.
• Citybuck

  Kentucky up 64-57 with about a minute to play.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Good win for Kentucky. Good showing for Louisville. Fun game to watch after they got over their bullshit in the beginning.
• Azubuike24

  

  You won't see me say this often, but Louisville handled this game masterfully. Credit to Pitino. They dumbed it down and exploited UK's weaknesses. Ugly, not very enjoyable game for the fans of the heavy favorite. If U of L keeps this effort up the rest of the year, they will achieve more than they should. Last year's team underachieved in the NCAA Tourney. I think most people saw today why UK is still very vulnerable and why they still have a lot of growing up to do in the next 3 months.
• King_Crimson

  Kentucky showed their youth at times today, but when the game was on the line they stepped up their play and put the Cards away. It wasn't a pretty win, but it was a win and that's all that matters. 15-0 and off to their best start since 1970. The Cats can only get better as the season progresses and that's just scary.