Rivals Louisville and Kentucky Clash in Highly Anticipated Matchup

The in-state rivalry between No. 12 Louisville and No. 9 Kentucky takes center stage on November 11, 2025, as the two teams clash at the Yum Center in Louisville. The Cardinals (2-0) enter the game looking to end a 3-game losing streak against the Wildcats (2-0), who have won 6 of the last 7 matchups between the schools.

Louisville coach Pat Kelsey understands the significance of this rivalry, stating that fans constantly remind him of it whenever he goes out in public. The Cardinals have been dominant in their first two games, beating opponents by 30 or more points in back-to-back contests for the first time since 2016. Sophomore Khani Rooths has led the way, averaging 18 points and 8.5 rebounds in the wins.

Kentucky, meanwhile, has also cruised in its first two outings, defeating Nicholls 77-51 and Valparaiso 107-59. The Wildcats have enjoyed balanced scoring, with seven players averaging 10 or more points per game. Freshman Malachi Moreno, a 7-foot, 250-pound center, has been a standout, coming off the bench to record 18 points and 10 rebounds against Valparaiso.

The rivalry between these two programs is a storied one, with the two schools meeting for the 18th time while both being ranked. The last time they faced off in this scenario was in December 2019, when No. 19 Kentucky defeated No. 3 Louisville 78-70 in overtime.