Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Louisville: How to Watch, Things to Know, & Predictions

Published

3 years ago

December 30, 2022

Following a loss to Missouri, where the Kentucky Wildcats were never in the game, the tension and frustration within the Big Blue Nation are at the highest it has been in the John Calipari era. Fortunately, the Wildcats have a chance to relieve some of that pressure with a rivalry game against the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday.

Even with their struggles, Kentucky’s problems do not compare to those of Louisville. Sitting at 2-11, the Cardinals are not favored to win another game this season. In addition, they rank 343rd of 365 in the NET rankings, a ranking system that complies a team’s body of work for the NCAA Tournament.

With that said, Kentucky is expected to win their first game against Louisville since 2019 (lost in 2020, canceled in 2021), and in a BIG way. Let’s take a closer look at the matchup and look at three things to look for.

Better Offensive Performance, Find Production at the Four

Twelve games into the season – effectively a third – and the Wildcats have no offensive identity or any set rotations. Considering this is a team that many thought had the talent of a Final Four contender, this is concerning.

This is a team with a very similar roster makeup to last season. Of course, Oscar Tshiebwe and Sahvir Wheeler returned, but this team has CJ Fredrick and Antonio Reeves in place of Kellan Grady and Davion Mintz for shooting, and Cason Wallace in place of TyTy Washington as the star freshman. So why is this team performing so poorly?

The biggest difference? The production at the four spot. When comparing Keion Brooks last season and Jacob Toppin this season, Brooks was much more consistent. Through thirteen games, Brooks averaged 10.5 points on 48.3 percent shooting, compared to just 10.5 points and 40 percent shooting. To make matters worse, Toppin has not scored more than five points in nearly a month (12/4, Michigan).

There are other offensive problems, such as poor execution and poor spacing that needs to be corrected, but finding consistent production at the four spot, aiding Oscar Tshiebwe and Cason Wallace, would make it much easier to solve the rest of the issues.

On paper, this is Kentucky’s easiest game on the schedule. While a convincing victory feels like a must over Louisville, this is an opportunity for Kentucky to find that other contributor.(Hint: Chris Livingston is the best option.)

Convert at the Free Throw Line

It may not seem like it, but Kentucky is ranked top 20 in the country in three-point percentage at 39.5 percent. Yet, the Wildcats are ranked 298th in free throw percentage.

The three-point shooting is indicative of a team that can shoot, but their free throw shooting shows a team, that as John Calipari has said, is not mentally tough. This has cost the Wildcats the game against Michigan State, and further deepened their hole in other games this season as well (i.e. UCLA).

Louisville may not have the most efficient defense, but they do a good job of not fouling. With that said, Kentucky will need to capitalize on the opportunities they are given at the charity stripe.

While Saturday’s game shouldn’t come down to free throws, the players need to see some go through the net, and ultimately build their confidence to knock down the free throws when it matters most.

Attendance

Take a look at social media or ask a fellow Kentucky fan, there is plenty of frustration. With a fanbase that desperately wants to cheer on their Wildcats in a big moment, disappointment seems to be a too often result as of late.

To add to that, the Kentucky football team is playing at the same exact time in the Music City Bowl against Iowa down in Nashville.

That begs the question, what will the attendance be?

Given the circumstances and the fact that Louisville is very bad, I still expect Rupp Arena to be at or close to full capacity given that this is the first Kentucky-Louisville game in Lexington in three years. However, the fans could make a statement and it would not be surprising to see the online fan presence in favor of the bowl game.

Kentucky Basketball vs. Louisville Cardinals

Time/Date: 12:00 pm ET on Saturday, December 31st, 2022.
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
TV Channel: CBS
Announcers: TBA
Online Stream: CBS Sports Network Live
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens have the UK radio network call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: CBS Sports Network (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | UofL
Team Sheets: UK | UofL
Stats To Know: UK | UofL

Odds: The betting line has yet to be released for the game. Despite a bad performance against Missouri, ESPN’s matchup predictor nearly guarantees a win for Kentucky, giving the Wildcats a 98.4% chance of winning, while Bart Torvik gives Missouri a 98% advantage.

Predictions: The computer models do not expect this game to be closer as Bart Torvik picks the Wildcats to lose in a 78-56 blowout.

Also published on A Sea of Blue.

Related Topics:Chris Livingston Jacob Toppin Keion Brooks Jr.Louisville

BB Recruiting

James Madison Transfer Justin McBride to Visit Kentucky on Tuesday

Published

7 days ago

April 17, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky will host James Madison transfer James McBride for a visit on Tuesday, after communicating with Mark Pope and the staff via Zoom video call.

James Madison Athletics

While much of the attention in the transfer portal goes to the top targets, you need to build a full roster. Still with starting spots to be claimed, Kentucky also looking at depth pieces. The most recent, James Madison transfer Justin McBride.

After talking to the staff this week via Zoom video call, McBride is scheduled to take a visit to Lexington on Tuesday.

A three-star transfer, ranked 201st overall according to 247Sports, McBride is being recruited by multiple power conference teams including Baylor and Cal, as well as SEC foes Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Out of high school, McBride was a four-star recruit, ranked in the top 150 nationally.

“He is a versatile player who has that IT factor about him. You can tell by the passion he plays with that there is a huge chip on his shoulder,” 247Sports asked program director Vonzell Thomas said as he evaluated McBride out of high school. “What I like about his game is his will to win. He does whatever it takes to win and not every kid has that mentality.”

From Texas, McBride committed to Oklahoma State over the likes of Kansas and Arkansas, where he played alongside former Wildcat Bandon Garrison. There, he appeared in just 24 games, averaging just over five minutes per game.

Seeking a larger role, McBride entered the transfer portal and dropped to the mid-major level, committing to Nevada. With the Wolfpack he nearly tripled both his minutes and production, averaging 7.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in just under 20 minutes per game. His most recent stop, James Madison this past season, McBride had a breakout year, averaging 15.3 points and 5.6 rebounds on 40 percent shooting from deep.

Entering his senior season, the 6-7, 240 pound McBride is eyeing a jump back to the power conference level, prioritizing fit at his next stop.

Will that be Kentucky?

McBride has good size and athleticism, and has an inside-out style of game. Meaning he can work his away around the paint, but can also space the floor with his shooting, grading fairly well as a catch and shoot guy. Overall, he ranks in the 97th percentile in scoring volume. That said, there is come consistency to be lacked on the defensive side.

BB Recruiting

Multiple Transfers Meet With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

The transfer portal is active, and Zoom stock is going up as college coaches are video chatting around the clock to build their rosters, including Kentucky.

On Wednesday, Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff added three more names to the Zoom list.

Alex Wilkins (Guard, Furman), 4⭐️, 46th-ranked transfer

Class: Sophomore
Physicals: 6-5, 175 lbs
Last season averages: 17.8 PPG, 4.7 APG, 46% FG, 32.8% 3P

An underrated prospect coming out of high school, Wilkins splashed on the scene this year at Furman. As a freshman, he led his team to the NCAA Tournament, averaging 17.8 points and 4.7 assists and earning second team All-SoCon honors.

There were few players as critical to their team’s success as Wilkins, leading the SoCon in possession usage (34.4%) and shot usage (31.7%). That does lend some explanation to his poor shooting splits and turnover concerns (3.8 turnovers per game).

A quick, wirey guard, Wilkins is a capable scorer at all three levels, and can create for his teammates. However, he needs to add some muscle for power conference competition, and needs to have more consistent effort on the defensive end.

A freshman, those are both correctable things.

Isaac Celiscar (Forward, Yale), 4⭐️, 84th-ranked transfer

Class: Junior
Physicals: 6-6, 210 lbs
Last season averages: 13.2 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.2 APG, 57.3% FG, 40.7% 3P

Isaac Celiscar is one of the most efficient, versatile players in the transfer portal.

The first takeaway, averaging 13.2 point per game with 57.3 percent shooting, he is extremely efficient on limited opportunities. Shooting nearly 41 percent from deep, he is a threat from deep as well. That efficiency carries over to his passing, as he averages more than three assists per game, on just 1.3 turnovers per game.

Celiscar grades out as a glue-guy with great offensive skills and good feel for the game, but he does have limitations in terms of his athleticism and shot creation.

Jalen Cox (Guard, Colgate), 3⭐️ , 149th-ranked transfer

Class: Senior
Physicals: 6-3, 180 lbs
Last season averages: 17.9 PPG, 5.3 APG, 5.0 RPG, 52.1% FG, 36.5% 3P

Jalen Cox is the lowest ranked player Kentucky has reached out to, but the Wildcats need depth and Cox is a experienced guard with proven production.

Averaging 17.9 points and 5.3 assists (2.0+ assist-to-turnover ratio) per game on 52 percent shooting from the field, Cox is a versatile and efficient offensive player. He has also multiple conference All-Defense selections too, making him a two way player.

The biggest concern with Cox is his athletic ceiling and how that translates to power conference competition. However an experienced two way player is a great rotation piece.

BB Recruiting

Top Five Transfer Paulius Murauskas Moves Up Call, Talks With Kentucky on Wednesday

Published

2 weeks ago

April 8, 2026

Tristan Pharis

Kentucky met with Saint Mary's transfer Paulius Muruaskas, one of the top forwards in the transfer portal, on Wednesday and is looking to schedule a visit for him to come to Lexington.

Saint Mary's Athletics

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats are as busy as anyone in the transfer portal. On Wednesday, they met with their biggest fish of this transfer portal cycle so far, Paulius Murauskas.

Originally scheduled for Thursday, the Wildcats met with Murauskas via Zoom video call on Wednesday, per source.

Currently ranked 4th overall in 247Sports transfer rankings, the top-ranked forward, Murauskas is the prototypical modern basketball player. Good size at 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, with the ability to create for himself and others, has a good handle, and overall good feel for the game.

Murauskas started his collegiate career at Arizona after some professional experience in Lithuania. Playing just five minutes per game with the Wildcats as a freshman, Murauskas transferred to Saint Mary’s, where he has flourished and earned All-Conference honors the last two seasons.

This past season, Murauskas averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds, on 48.2 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from deep. As for his weaknesses, he is not super athletic, and he does need to be more consistent with his shot.

Originally thought to follow former Saint Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett to Arizona State, Murauskas is exploring all options. Following the Zoom, Kentucky is trying to get him on campus for a visit in the near future.