Men's Basketball

Kentucky vs. Louisville: TV/Streaming Info, Keys to the Game, and Betting Odds/Predictions

Published

1 year ago

December 13, 2024

Kentucky head coach Mark Pope and Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey faceoff for the first time.

Clare Grant, Jordan Prather | IMAGN

The Kentucky Wildcats are looking for a much better performance after their worst game of the season against Colgate. On Saturday, they will get the opportunity to do that against one of the biggest rivals in the Louisville Cardinals.

This season, the rivalry will have a new look as both programs are led by likable, but super passionate first-year head coaches in Mark Pope and Pat Kelsey. The two new coaches will bring their own infectious energy into the series.

As for the players, there is not a single rotational player for either team that has played in the rivalry. Despite that, players from both teams understand the importance of the game. Louisville guard Terrence Ewards, it was a selling point to get them to play at Louisville, and they are ready for the challenge.

“We ready,” Edwards said after Louisville’s win over UTEP on Wednesday. “Just to go into this big rivalry game — All of us really committed for this game. Some of us came here just to play against Kentucky.”

As they say, ‘If you can’t play for them, play against them.’ Let’s take a look at the matchup.

Three-Point Shooting

Both Kentucky and Louisville attempt a lot of threes. However, one team is significantly more efficient than the other.

Louisville: 31.8 3PA (6th), 27% 3P (341st)
Kentucky: 28.7 3PA (32nd), 35.5% 3P (96th)

That said, Kentucky has not been shooting the ball well as of late. After shooting 42.3 percent over the first five games of the season, they have shot just 28.3 percent over the last five games.

Louisville’s three-point defense is not great either, allowing power conference opponents to shoot an average of 37.9 percent. For context, that would be in the bottom 50 in the country nationally. You have to think at some point Kentucky breaks their shooting slump.

Take Care of the Ball

Louisville plays among one of the fastest paces in the country and that starts on the defensive end. With a top-15 defensive turnover rate, the Cardinals want to force their opponents into mistakes and generate extra possessions. Point guard Chucky Hepburn averages 3.2 per game alone, the second-best mark in that nation.

Fortunately, the Wildcats have been good at taking care of the ball this season, turning it over less than ten times per game, 21st in the nation. Lamont Butler being back at point guard should help this, but Amari Williams and Brandon Garrison have to be careful as they initiate the offense from the high post.

Rebounding Battle

Despite being one of the best rebounding teams in the country in terms of averages, Kentucky has found themselves in first-half deficits on the boards multiple times already this season.

Looking for a marquee win after losing three of their last four, Louisville is going to play a desperate brand of basketball. They look for offensive rebounds, getting double-digit offensive boards in 8 of their 10 games. Kentucky needs to attack the glass early and consistently.

Will Lamont Butler Play?

It’s been very clear over the last two games that Kentucky misses Lamont Butler. His leadership, perimeter defense, and point guard skills are all something Kentucky could use right now.

After tweaking his ankle against Clemson more than a week ago, I have been told he is expected to play against Louisville. That would certainly help the team in nearly all facets.

Opposing Players to Watch

G Chucky Hepburn 6-2, 190 lbs

14.1 PPG
4.8 APG
3.2 SPG

G Terrence Edwards 6-6. 205 lbs

12.9 PPG
2.1 APG
42.1% FG

G Reyne Smith 6-2, 190 lbs

12.1 PPG
37.1% 3P
90% of FG attempts are three-pointers

Kentucky Basketball (9-1) vs. Louisville Cardinals (6-4)

Time: 5:15 PM ET on December 14th
Location: Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky
TV Channel: ESPN
Online Stream: ESPN+ and the ESPN app.
Radio: Tom Leach and Jack Givens will have the call on the UK Sports Radio Network.
Replay: WatchESPN and ESPN network of channels (check local listings).
Rosters: UK | LOU
Stats to Know: UK | LOU
KenPom: UK | LOU
Team Sheet: UK | LOU

Odds: FanDuel Sportsbook has yet to release the odds, so please check back later for those. The projections are very confident in Kentucky, giving them at least an 84 percent chance at victory: ESPN (86.8%), EvanMiya (86.7%), KenPom (85%), and Bart Torvik (84%).

Predictions: Those same analytics project a double-digit win for the Cats! Haslametrics and EvanMiya are separated by just one point, projecting 84-70 and 83-70 win for Kentucky respectively. Bart Torvik (84-73) and KenPom (83-72) both have the Cats winning by eleven points. I think Kentucky will continue their dominance in the series with an 88-72 win.

How do you see this one playing out? Send us your Kentucky vs. Louisville score predictions!

And Go CATS!!

Also posted on a Sea of Blue.

Related Topics:Kentucky Basketball Louisville Basketball Louisville Cardinals

BB Recruiting

James Madison Transfer Justin McBride to Visit Kentucky on Tuesday

Published

6 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.