Particle.news
Download on the App Store

No. 12 Louisville Defeats No. 8 Kentucky 96-88 for First Win Over Wildcats Since 2020

Louisville’s breakthrough highlights Pat Kelsey’s year-two momentum, powered by superior backcourt play.

Overview

  • The Cardinals led for more than 37 minutes and by as many as 20 at the KFC Yum! Center, improving to 3-0 as Kentucky dropped to 2-1.
  • Freshman Mikel Brown Jr. tallied 29 points and five assists, punctuating the win with a late three-point play that rebuilt a seven-point cushion.
  • Louisville produced 20 assists on 31 made shots with only six turnovers, while Kentucky committed 13 turnovers.
  • The rivalry meeting marked the first time since 2019 that both teams were ranked entering the game, with a national broadcast on ESPN.
  • Pregame projections favoring Louisville (roughly a 3.5-point spread and ~73% ESPN Analytics win probability) were validated; Louisville hosts Ohio on Saturday.