When Calipari’s young Cats face archrival Louisville tonight in the Yum Center, however, the challenge will be much different from the one United Kingdom has faced to this point, and not just because this will be its first true road test.
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For whatever reason, Tom Jurich would never seriously consider dropping Kentucky off a University of Louisville schedule in any sport.
There’s the close proximity. All things being equal, and they generally are when each team has a Hall of Famer on the bench, the team with better talent is likely to win.
When the two teams tip off against each other Wednesday night at the Yum! Size, rebounding, and the homecourt advantage wins it for U of L. Finally.
“I would imagine, in this game, they will play fast and if they don’t score quickly, then they’ll play the clock”. One of the primary issues is Kentucky does not have a legit power forward, at least not one playing big minutes.
Admiring the Wildcats’ up-tempo style, Louisville coach Rick Pitino said his Cardinals will play “ping-pong” with Kentucky Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET in Louisville’s KFC Yum!
John Calipari arrived in Lexington in 2009 and pumped new life into the rivalry. That’s a much younger team than a year ago when coach Rick Pitino started a pair of graduate transfers, but still more experience than what Kentucky can call on. Donovan Mitchell, Deng Adel & Co. are playing at a tempo that’s neither fast nor slow yet familiar to Louisville fans.
Kentucky’s talented freshman backcourt will be a load for the Cardinals to handle.
I thought North Carolina and a couple points would eventually prevail against the youthful Wildcats. Both teams are consistently ranked in the Top 25 when they play each year. That ties an AP Poll-era record.
UofL Director of Player Development Wayne Turner helped Kentucky win the 1996 and 1998 national titles in his four seasons as a player there (1995-99).
Kentucky owns a 34-15 edge in the series, including an 8-1 mark since coach Calipari took over the program. Besides, the Cards’ superb defense means Pitino’s team customarily has a low target to hit in terms of points needed to win.
Let’s break down tonight’s matchup.
-Louisville leads the nation in Ken Pomeroy’s adjusted defensive efficiency through December 18.
My prediction: As long as De’Aaron Fox doesn’t have to ice his arm after the game from shooting perimeter jumpers and instead penetrates to the rim or kicking it out for good, open shots I think the Cats are in good shape. “Run at him with different people to make him think”. The Cards are 32nd in adjusted offensive efficiency, according to Pomeroy. Pitino likes using his bench, he’ll need everyone to perform against UK.
My level of resentment is not really that he is the coach of the Louisville Cardinals.
Synergy rates a team’s offensive performance in 11 categories, ranging from Spot Up shooting to Isolation offense.
Fresh off an impressive victory out in Las Vegas, the Kentucky Wildcats get no real rest just before Christmas.
Guess what ranking Kentucky earned in transition defense – Excellent. They do a good job of taking guys away.
Kentucky has bordered at times on being a college basketball high-wire act.
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“Fox is a great point guard”.
