Louisville being competitive again

[Dontworryboutit23]

Louisville being competitive again and having a good coach will make these games much more entertaining. But one thing I missed in recent years was the UOFL fans coping after they lose games. They are the most “if this happened” or “if Kentucky didn’t do that” fanbase ever. If we didn’t only have 7 players, we would have won by double digits. Kentucky has 7 guys who contribute right now. If butler didn’t hit everything he throws up, while they hit 14 3s and shot way better than they have all season. And then the blaming of the refs, when the refs were terrible for both teams the whole game. I sure did miss the coping that fanbase does.

 

[RunninRichie]

I'm in favor of ending the "rivalry"

 

[Dontworryboutit23]

I'm in favor of ending the "rivalry"

I wouldn’t tho that far. I missed seeing these reactions from them. They are the worst fanbase in the nation about finding coping mechanisms for why they lost instead of actually admitting they got beat

 

[IL Wildcat]

I'm in favor of ending the "rivalry"

Yeah, I have no interest in giving them the opportunity to build their program off of our success. What we saw today is exactly the reason why you never elevate them by letting come to Rupp for a prime game environment with ESPN in the house and the national attention that comes with it. They always play like their lives depend on it, with their hair on fire, and UK has everything to lose and nothing to gain. Kentucky is 20 points better than Louisville this season but they made 14 threes, which is 3 more than they've made in any game all season. They had guys who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but against UK it's seriously the most important game of their lives. It's not worth it to me. And you get Louisville players flipping the bird at UK fans. They do not respect Kentucky or its fans at all. I wouldn't play them unless they earn a trip to the Dance and earn their way to play us.

I know that may not be a popular opinion, but that's how I feel about it. It's a no win game. Our numbers will take a hit because they're so pathetic and we didn't beat them by enough points. And they're just building off our program. Nope. I wouldn't schedule them or Indiana ever.

 

[clifm]

Yeah, I have no interest in giving them the opportunity to build their program off of our success. What we saw today is exactly the reason why you never elevate them by letting come to Rupp for a prime game environment with ESPN in the house and the national attention that comes with it. They always play like their lives depend on it, with their hair on fire, and UK has everything to lose and nothing to gain. Kentucky is 20 points better than Louisville this season but they made 14 threes, which is 3 more than they've made in any game all season. They had guys who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but against UK it's seriously the most important game of their lives. It's not worth it to me. And you get Louisville players flipping the bird at UK fans. They do not respect Kentucky or its fans at all. I wouldn't play them unless they earn a trip to the Dance and earn their way to play us.

I know that may not be a popular opinion, but that's how I feel about it. It's a no win game. Our numbers will take a hit because they're so pathetic and we didn't beat them by enough points. And they're just building off our program. Nope. I wouldn't schedule them or Indiana ever.

I want to beat them in everything we do even marbles and pick up sticks

 

[gbl97]

Yeah, I have no interest in giving them the opportunity to build their program off of our success. What we saw today is exactly the reason why you never elevate them by letting come to Rupp for a prime game environment with ESPN in the house and the national attention that comes with it. They always play like their lives depend on it, with their hair on fire, and UK has everything to lose and nothing to gain. Kentucky is 20 points better than Louisville this season but they made 14 threes, which is 3 more than they've made in any game all season. They had guys who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but against UK it's seriously the most important game of their lives. It's not worth it to me. And you get Louisville players flipping the bird at UK fans. They do not respect Kentucky or its fans at all. I wouldn't play them unless they earn a trip to the Dance and earn their way to play us.

I know that may not be a popular opinion, but that's how I feel about it. It's a no win game. Our numbers will take a hit because they're so pathetic and we didn't beat them by enough points. And they're just building off our program. Nope. I wouldn't schedule them or Indiana ever.

I'm surprised at your take. What you said makes sense though.

I'm ok with Louisville because it's an instate tradition that's known on the national stage. Indiana is a different story -- we shouldn't be helping them escape their 31 years of irrelevance.

 

[Fox2monk]

Yeah, I have no interest in giving them the opportunity to build their program off of our success. What we saw today is exactly the reason why you never elevate them by letting come to Rupp for a prime game environment with ESPN in the house and the national attention that comes with it. They always play like their lives depend on it, with their hair on fire, and UK has everything to lose and nothing to gain. Kentucky is 20 points better than Louisville this season but they made 14 threes, which is 3 more than they've made in any game all season. They had guys who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but against UK it's seriously the most important game of their lives. It's not worth it to me. And you get Louisville players flipping the bird at UK fans. They do not respect Kentucky or its fans at all. I wouldn't play them unless they earn a trip to the Dance and earn their way to play us.

I know that may not be a popular opinion, but that's how I feel about it. It's a no win game. Our numbers will take a hit because they're so pathetic and we didn't beat them by enough points. And they're just building off our program. Nope. I wouldn't schedule them or Indiana ever.

I love it because we dominate and I live here. I wanna beat them into the ground until I die. At my funeral I am gonna be in my casket, and my only wish is to have my UK jersey on and them sitting me up with L’s down.

 

[K_TIME]

For those advocating for dropping the game.....who all non conference teams do you play? I for one am tired of the neutral floor Cal specials, I'd love to get back into Maui, etc...but you do need some home non conference games that arent all scrubs.

 

[drew_ukfan]

Yeah, I have no interest in giving them the opportunity to build their program off of our success. What we saw today is exactly the reason why you never elevate them by letting come to Rupp for a prime game environment with ESPN in the house and the national attention that comes with it. They always play like their lives depend on it, with their hair on fire, and UK has everything to lose and nothing to gain. Kentucky is 20 points better than Louisville this season but they made 14 threes, which is 3 more than they've made in any game all season. They had guys who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but against UK it's seriously the most important game of their lives. It's not worth it to me. And you get Louisville players flipping the bird at UK fans. They do not respect Kentucky or its fans at all. I wouldn't play them unless they earn a trip to the Dance and earn their way to play us.

I know that may not be a popular opinion, but that's how I feel about it. It's a no win game. Our numbers will take a hit because they're so pathetic and we didn't beat them by enough points. And they're just building off our program. Nope. I wouldn't schedule them or Indiana ever.

I get it but imo, that’s what’s wrong with college basketball. Teams often take the easier path
1. Rather do a neutral site then a true road game
2. Rather schedule another cupcake then a major conference school
3. Don’t wanna do pre-conference tournaments cause it’s hard and you might lose some games

And so on

To make the game better, you should play your rivals and not worry about “building their program up” if they beat you. Don’t let them beat you is the answer.

I want to see UofL and IU on the schedule, it makes the regular season more fun. In a sport where most just watch the big dance, having more interesting regular season games seems like a smart play.

 

[Cold Stout Beer]

I love it because we dominate and I live here. I wanna beat them into the ground until I die. At my funeral I am gonna be in my casket, and my only wish is to have my UK jersey on and them sitting me up with L’s down.

A true UK burial!

 

[rick64]

Not much of a rivalry lately when one team has now won 10 of the last 12. 😉😂

 

[JPFisher]

I love it because we dominate and I live here. I wanna beat them into the ground until I die. At my funeral I am gonna be in my casket, and my only wish is to have my UK jersey on and them sitting me up with L’s down.

Make it one L down and one middle finger up, and I'll bring a casserole for the fam. 😂

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

Yeah, I have no interest in giving them the opportunity to build their program off of our success. What we saw today is exactly the reason why you never elevate them by letting come to Rupp for a prime game environment with ESPN in the house and the national attention that comes with it. They always play like their lives depend on it, with their hair on fire, and UK has everything to lose and nothing to gain. Kentucky is 20 points better than Louisville this season but they made 14 threes, which is 3 more than they've made in any game all season. They had guys who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but against UK it's seriously the most important game of their lives. It's not worth it to me. And you get Louisville players flipping the bird at UK fans. They do not respect Kentucky or its fans at all. I wouldn't play them unless they earn a trip to the Dance and earn their way to play us.

I know that may not be a popular opinion, but that's how I feel about it. It's a no win game. Our numbers will take a hit because they're so pathetic and we didn't beat them by enough points. And they're just building off our program. Nope. I wouldn't schedule them or Indiana ever.

I’ve been saying this for 20 years. We were forced to play them because of Jefferson County politics.

If Warren County had the same pull we’d be playing WKU every year.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

I get it but imo, that’s what’s wrong with college basketball. Teams often take the easier path
1. Rather do a neutral site then a true road game
2. Rather schedule another cupcake then a major conference school
3. Don’t wanna do pre-conference tournaments cause it’s hard and you might lose some games

And so on

To make the game better, you should play your rivals and not worry about “building their program up” if they beat you. Don’t let them beat you is the answer.

I want to see UofL and IU on the schedule, it makes the regular season more fun. In a sport where most just watch the big dance, having more interesting regular season games seems like a smart play.

Is Kansas forced to play Wichita State every year home and home?

This game was purely political. It was foisted on us by the politicians. I think we’ve proven now with a 40–17 record that the game is a laughable joke that was put on us by politicians.

End all series in all sports and let them rot.

 

[drew_ukfan]

Is Kansas forced to play Wichita State every year home and home?

This game was purely political. It was foisted on us by the politicians. I think we’ve proven now with a 40–17 record that the game is a laughable joke that was put on us by politicians.

End all series in all sports and let them rot.

UofL is an interesting game for the fans in a sport where the regular season is boring for most people. Keep the game

 

[TFCats11]

To each their own, but any fan wanting to end a Top 3 rivalry game, and yes I’m aware of the w/l discrepancy, why are you even a fan of the sport?

I wish UK could have home and homes with U6, IU, Duke, UNCheat, Kansas, and uCONn every year! Bring them all on!!!

 

[HerrosHeroes]

Wake me up when they actually beat us more than once a decade.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

UofL is an interesting game for the fans in a sport where the regular season is boring for most people. Keep the game

No offense but If you need a game against a commuter school so you don’t get bored then that says more about you.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

To each their own, but any fan wanting to end a Top 3 rivalry game, and yes I’m aware of the w/l discrepancy, why are you even a fan of the sport?

I wish UK could have home and homes with U6, IU, Duke, UNCheat, Kansas, and uCONn every year! Bring them all on!!!

Some of us were alive before this “ rivalry” was conjured out of thin air by Jefferson County politicians.

 

[westerncat]

I love us beating UL but I have to say UL played much better than I thought they would last night. I was hoping we would beat them by 20 but they are much better than they were last year. I still hope they lose every game they play.

 

[SemperFiCat]

I hadn't seen much of UofL before yesterday. But I found myself thinking that that Kelsey offensive scheme was pretty terrible, TBH. Then Bilas and co were saying the same thing midway through the second half; it's too much one on one AAU style. Very similar to a Cal 'offense'. Now I see UofL with five losses. So, let me ask you- is Louisville actually going to be competitive with that? Will Louisville fans be ok with THAT style, if it means 10 losses a year? Are they actually competitive?

 

[drew_ukfan]

No offense but If you need a game against a commuter school so you don’t get bored then that says more about you.

You’re right, it does. I have a life and better things to do than watch them play Popcorn St. I need some name recognition

 

[cathouse]

Louisville being competitive again and having a good coach will make these games much more entertaining. But one thing I missed in recent years was the UOFL fans coping after they lose games. They are the most “if this happened” or “if Kentucky didn’t do that” fanbase ever. If we didn’t only have 7 players, we would have won by double digits. Kentucky has 7 guys who contribute right now. If butler didn’t hit everything he throws up, while they hit 14 3s and shot way better than they have all season. And then the blaming of the refs, when the refs were terrible for both teams the whole game. I sure did miss the coping that fanbase does.

They are in the "acceptance " step right now. Anger has mostly passed.

Oh, and they are a football school once again. So, yesterday's game really doesn't matter. They are preparing for their big bowl game right now.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

To each their own, but any fan wanting to end a Top 3 rivalry game, and yes I’m aware of the w/l discrepancy, why are you even a fan of the sport?

I wish UK could have home and homes with U6, IU, Duke, UNCheat, Kansas, and uCONn every year! Bring them all on!!!

3 road games a year against that group of teams on top of the sec slate? You will be the first one whining when we always have several losses heading into sec play.

 

[Oldbluefart]

I love it because we dominate and I live here. I wanna beat them into the ground until I die. At my funeral I am gonna be in my casket, and my only wish is to have my UK jersey on and them sitting me up with L’s down.

Fox, as someone who lives in Louisville as well, I love your idea but I want to take a page out of Bob Knights playbook.
They can bury me upside down so all the UL fans can kiss my ass.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

You’re right, it does. I have a life and better things to do than watch them play Popcorn St. I need some name recognition

And there are plenty of opportunities to do that.

And none of them prop up an in state competitor for eyeballs and dollars.

Again…the only reason we play Louisville and not WKU home and home every year is because Warren County and Bowling Green do not have the economic and political clout of Jefferson County and the city of Louisville.

 

[BBNinSC]

Sports are as much about who you hate as about who you love. Kentucky has not had a true rival in recent years with UL being down and no real every year conference rival.
We’ve had different SEC teams step up over the years to challenge UK, from Arkansas in the 90’s, to Billy Donovan’s Florida teams and Tennessee more recently.
The lack of a consistent foe has hurt our brand nationally. UNC and Duke benefit greatly from each other. It will strengthen Kentucky if Louisville can get it together for the long term

 

[KYFOSSIL]

For those advocating for dropping the game.....who all non conference teams do you play? I for one am tired of the neutral floor Cal specials, I'd love to get back into Maui, etc...but you do need some home non conference games that arent all scrubs.

Duke, Gonzaga, Clemson, ohio state

 

[the nail at the foul line]

The only problem with dropping them is every time you look up they will be in our bracket in the NCAA tournament.

 

[KYCAT78]

I'm in favor of ending the "rivalry"

Now is the time to end it so they go through eternity knowing we dominated them and have won 11 of 13. Use the excuse we need to find more a more competitive appointment.

 

[CGblue]

The only problem with dropping them is every time you look up they will be in our bracket in the NCAA tournament.

I heard the NCAA tourney is going to expand the field by a large number, so you could be right.

 

[truckbrandon]

Y'all saying we should end this game are crazy! Yesterday, the atmosphere in Rupp was on a different level. The UofL players said they went there just to beat UK. The ride home had to suck for them. I enjoyed yesterday's win, however small the margin, thoroughly!

 

[CHAMPCAT11]

Yeah, I have no interest in giving them the opportunity to build their program off of our success. What we saw today is exactly the reason why you never elevate them by letting come to Rupp for a prime game environment with ESPN in the house and the national attention that comes with it. They always play like their lives depend on it, with their hair on fire, and UK has everything to lose and nothing to gain. Kentucky is 20 points better than Louisville this season but they made 14 threes, which is 3 more than they've made in any game all season. They had guys who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but against UK it's seriously the most important game of their lives. It's not worth it to me. And you get Louisville players flipping the bird at UK fans. They do not respect Kentucky or its fans at all. I wouldn't play them unless they earn a trip to the Dance and earn their way to play us.

I know that may not be a popular opinion, but that's how I feel about it. It's a no win game. Our numbers will take a hit because they're so pathetic and we didn't beat them by enough points. And they're just building off our program. Nope. I wouldn't schedule them or Indiana ever.

This ^ is soooo true. Playing them does nothing for us but is a huge opportunity for them.

 

[Catapult]

To each their own, but any fan wanting to end a Top 3 rivalry game, and yes I’m aware of the w/l discrepancy, why are you even a fan of the sport?

I wish UK could have home and homes with U6, IU, Duke, UNCheat, Kansas, and uCONn every year! Bring them all on!!!

Not IU. Don't think our fans should ever be subjected to ASS Hall again. If they want neutral site, then ok.

 

[PushupMan]

I hadn't seen much of UofL before yesterday. But I found myself thinking that that Kelsey offensive scheme was pretty terrible, TBH. Then Bilas and co were saying the same thing midway through the second half; it's too much one on one AAU style. Very similar to a Cal 'offense'. Now I see UofL with five losses. So, let me ask you- is Louisville actually going to be competitive with that? Will Louisville fans be ok with THAT style, if it means 10 losses a year? Are they actually competitive?

Gotta give the Cats’ defense a lot of credit for that … we got very little out of our motion and passing and had to resort to Chucky Hepburn, Hadley and Edwards making one-on-one plays late in the shot clock.

After going 12-52 the last two seasons, I think most of us UofL fans will be thrilled with 18-20 regular season wins this year.

Good luck to the Cats the rest of the way. The SEC is absolutely brutal this year.

 

[Fox2monk]

Make it one L down and one middle finger up, and I'll bring a casserole for the fam. 😂

It’s done I’ll make the will changes.

 

[Fox2monk]

They are in the "acceptance " step right now. Anger has mostly passed.

Oh, and they are a football school once again. So, yesterday's game really doesn't matter. They are preparing for their big bowl game right now.

Yeah I noticed that. They switched back to Football school now. Women’s volleyball too since their women have fallen off a little.

 

[Fox2monk]

I hadn't seen much of UofL before yesterday. But I found myself thinking that that Kelsey offensive scheme was pretty terrible, TBH. Then Bilas and co were saying the same thing midway through the second half; it's too much one on one AAU style. Very similar to a Cal 'offense'. Now I see UofL with five losses. So, let me ask you- is Louisville actually going to be competitive with that? Will Louisville fans be ok with THAT style, if it means 10 losses a year? Are they actually competitive?

I didn’t pay attention to the sets too much but they sure got a lot of wide open looks from screens. They play damn hard. I bet with better athletes and a couple extra players they will be pretty good. He certainly emphasized a modern style and gives guys the green light so prospects should like playing in it. He’s a way better coach than Cal I believe in game. They scored out of so many timeouts when we go it to about 10.

 

[SenseMaker]

I realize UL hasn’t been good as of late but comparing UL to Wichita State and WKU when this started in 1984 (first scheduled game) is just silly. You can downplay the rivalry today if you want because they’ve been down but not when it started UL was at the top of the college basketball mountain and we were far from it. Getting beat by the likes of MTSU and UAB. Many fans wanted this game. Including myself.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

For those advocating for dropping the game.....who all non conference teams do you play? I for one am tired of the neutral floor Cal specials, I'd love to get back into Maui, etc...but you do need some home non conference games that arent all scrubs.

Are you ok with how SEC refs will let us lose in Rupp but the return game to the opponents place with their conference refs will 98% sure to make it impossible for us to win unless we shoot really well and the opponents cant hit the side of a barn thus the refs just cant do anything about it. Im absolutely positive thats why Cal went the route of neutral court games where one half is favored to one team and the other half the other team. (if you havent picked up on that pattern, just watch for it for now on and in NCAAT games too)

Also times are changing, if the SEC is going to continue to have every team try hard maybe it wont be this insane in conference but it will be very tough to the point there's what 9 home games to excite us right there