Another decade is in the books and another in the historic rivalry comes to an end. Kentucky is 27-14 all time against the little brother down the road. Since 2000 the Cats own the series as well going 6 of 4. A lot has happened in a seemingly short time in history. One coach left one school and is now coaching the other. 2 Champion coaches have pursued greener pastures. Countless NBA draftees have come and gone. In 10 years both schools combined have seen 5 different coaches. The World Trade Center fell, Ted Kennedy died and Rick Pitino donated sperm to a crazy lady…
Sounds like a lot, but there is more! This time we are going to do 10 Things a little different. Let’s take a look back at the last 10 verse the Cardinals of Louisville to paint the picture for today’s contest.
10. 2000-2001- Kentucky 64 – Louisville 62 (Louisville)- UL’s Denny Crum was able to lose to the Cats in his final coaching stand in the rivalry. The Cats won a nail biter behind Keith Bogans team leading 16 points. Jason Parker added 11, Tayshaun Prince 13.
9. 2001-2002- #6 Kentucky 82 – Louisville 62 (Lexington)- Benedict Rick made his first trek down 64 as the coach of the Louisville Cardinals. Let’s just say his welcoming party wasn’t very kind. The Cats spoiled all plans of a Cardinal victory in the most lopsided contest in the rivalry this decade. Tayshaun Prince led UK with 18 points, and Keith Bogans added 17 in the Cats route.
8. 2002-2003- Louisville 81 – #14 Kentucky 63 (Louisville)- The Cards pulled the upset over the Cats in Freedom Hall. Rick Pitino got his first win against his former team and took no pride in doing so. What made this game very weird is that former Cat Marvin Stone led the way for the Cards scoring 16 points. For the Cats Keith Bogans had 14.
7. 2003-2004- #20 Louisville 65- #1 Kentucky 56- (Lexington)- Louisville ended UK’s 27 game winning streak in front of a sold out Rupp Arena crowd. It was the Cards first win in Lexington since 1997-98, the year the Cats won it all. Cliff Hawkins led the Cats scoring attack with 12. Pitino improved his record against the Cats to 2-1.
6. 2004-2005- #9 Kentucky 60- #11 Louisville 58 (Louisville)- Kentucky’s Patrick Sparks was fouled behind the arc by UL’s Ellis Myles with 4.8 seconds remaining and hit 3 straight free-throws to propel the Cats to victory. Sparks finished with 25 points in a controversial win for the Cats.
5. 2005-2006 #22 Kentucky 73- #4 Louisville 61 (Lexington)- UK’s Rajon Rondo racked up 25 points in the Cats second consecutive victory over the Cardinals since 2000-2002. The Cats were in danger of dropping out of the Top 25 after a run of 87 straight poll appearances by losing to Indiana by 26. The victory was Tubby Smith’s 350th win as a head coach and he did it in front of Rupp Arena’s second largest crowd ever.
4. 2006-2007- Kentucky 61-49 (Louisville)- Freshmen Guard Jodie Meeks got his first chance to shine and did it in career high fashion. Meeks, coming off the bench, tallied 18 points in the Cats third straight win in the series and UK coach Tubby Smith’s last outing verse the Cards.
3.2007-2008- Louisville 89-75 (Lexington)- Ramel Bradley dumped in 27 points and was the only Cat to step up in a losing effort. The Cats came into the game riding a measly 6-7 record. However, this game marked the turning point of the season as the Cats were able to rebound and make the NCAA tournament.
2. 2008-2009- #18 Louisville 74-71 (Louisville)- Known around these parts as Sosa’s so-so heave from deep. Louisville’s Edgar Sosa drained a 3 with 3 seconds remaining to cap the Cats. Jodie Meeks tied the game up with 5 seconds remaining hitting two free-throws but the Cards ultimately prevailed in one of the best finishes in UK vs. UL contests. Patterson led the way for the Cats with 22 and 15, Jodie Meeks poured in 28 with a hot hand. The Cats failed to make the NCAA tournament.
1. 2009-2010- #3 Cats 71-62 (Lexington)- Demarcus Cousins carried the load for the Cats with 18 points and 18 monstrous rebounds. Patrick Patterson and John Wall each added 17 a piece in the Cat victory. The game was a rocky one but the Cards battled back after an early surge from the Cats to take the lead mid-way through the second half. The Cats were able to fend off the filthy flying rats and proved the victor.
2010-2011………?????
