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Kentucky fans take over KFC Yum! Center for annual rivalry contest vs. Louisville
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Kentucky basketball fans descended on KFC Yum! Center on Thursday night for the Wildcats’ yearly showdown against in-state rival Louisville.
The Wildcats have won 12 of the last 15 matchups between the 2 programs, including in the Sweet 16 in 2014. While the Cardinals held serve at home in 2020, that doesn’t look like it will be the case this time around. The No. 9 Wildcats have opened up a big 2nd-half lead over the Cardinals and are well on their way to a 9-2 mark.
If you didn’t know any better, you’d think this was a Kentucky home game judging by the crowd noise. Watch and listen to the videos below to get a sense of how Wildcats fans have taken over:
Kentucky fans taken over Louisville today. @KYKernelSports pic.twitter.com/Q1sHBSwEhJ
— Ali Cetinok (@Alicetinok12) December 21, 2023
Speechless. pic.twitter.com/kgeDv1a71G
— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) December 22, 2023
While BBN was always expected to show up, it speaks volumes (no pun intended) to the disparity between the 2 programs. The Wildcats, a perennial March Madness team — their lack of championships notwithstanding — have looked terrific, outside of a loss to then-top-ranked Kansas and a disappointing home loss to UNC Wilmington. Louisville, itself one of college basketball’s bluebloods, is a shell of its former self, with Kenny Payne seemingly on borrowed time.
Kentucky faces Illinois State on Dec. 29. Louisville kicks off ACC play on Jan. 2 at Virginia.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
