Words can't really describe how excited, nervous, anxious and many other emotions I am for this game. I know both fan bases have similar feelings. The amount of hate, the parallels of the match-up, etc...so much going on.

If anyone remembers, in 1996, Kentucky and Rick Pitino lost to UMass and John Calipari. They met in the Final Four, with Kentucky (and Pitino) earning revenge en route to a title.

One of the many story lines. Thoughts?

I remember that 1996 game. Quite the matchup back then. I think it will be a close game for a half or so but UK eventually pulls away.

You know Rick wants this one bad though. Real bad.

Uk should win this game handily, Louisville has overachieved to get to this point imo.

UK by 20.

I just don't see UL hanging within double digits. They would have to play a near perfect game, and UK be off their game or in foul trouble. UK lives on their big runs in games. If UL can make it a grind it out game, they may have a chance. Who knows. We have seen it before in the Final Four.

The way Pitino sounded after the game last night, sounded like they achieved all they set out too, "Other than my kids being born this is the happiest day of my life"...I mean, you got a couple left there Ricker, might want to contain that a lil bit.

Technically it happened in November of 1995, but I remember watching the UMass team and seeing all the young talent UK had and being shocked the Cats lost. At the time, Camby was the most dominating big man I had seen since Shaq. However, I remember at the time seeing big minutes from the likes of Wayne Turner, Derek Anderson, Ron Mercer and others. That team went 11 deep and I had a feeling it was going to be special.

They didn't lose again until the SEC Tournament Final...and they whipped on UMass 4.5 months later.

Kentucky by 15-20

Calipari is 3-0 against Pitino since coming to UK. However, the 2009 and 2011 UK teams, by far the 2 best teams Cal has had, only beat UL by 9 points each (both games at Rupp). Both were grinders. Both were played exactly how UL needed them to be to stay close. The only game that got away from Rick was in 2010, when a UK team that was still looking for their identity really waxed the Cardinals at the Yum Center by 15.

We'll see, but I wouldn't be surprised if UL slows this down, there is a foul every possession and it's played in the high-60's/low-70's. Many have suggested that is the only way to beat UK, and while I agree, nobody has done it (ISU, IU and Baylor all tried to run with them). Louisville may not win, but Pitino has the ability to always get his teams to dictate the flow of the game.

It's a rivalry game so I think naturally its going to be a very close game. I think Kentucky is too much though

centralbucksfan;1127733 wrote:I just don't see UL hanging within double digits.

Kentucky by 100+?

I don't think Behanan and Kuric can cover Jones and MKG. UK has the better player at every position on the court, outside of possibly PG.

Cards by 3.

wildcats20;1127784 wrote:Cards by 3.

I wish.

UK by 22

Only Calipari karma can keep UK from winning it all.

My wife's nephew is getting married at 6:30 pm on Saturday in Louisville. They set the date the date over a year ago - and now UL/UK is set to tip off at 6:00 the same day. The family is split about 2:1 UK vs UL - If anyone actually shows up, the seating will be arranged UK on the right, UL on the right. I don't expect them to be speaking by the time of the reception.

Funny part is that for all the barking, not a one of them has ever set foot on either campus. :huh:

TV Ratings in the state of Kentucky should be decent.

Cat Food Flambe';1127823 wrote:My wife's nephew is getting married at 6:30 pm on Saturday in Louisville. They set the date the date over a year ago - and now UL/UK is set to tip off at 6:00 the same day. The family is split about 2:1 UK vs UL - If anyone actually shows up, the seating will be arranged UK on the right, UL on the right. I don't expect them to be speaking by the time of the reception.

Funny part is that for all the barking, not a one of them has ever set foot on either campus. :huh:

So who will sit on the left?

This should be the better game of the two. Really surprised it did not get the 9:00 start time.

wghfan;1127859 wrote:This should be the better game of the two. Really surprised it did not get the 9:00 start time.

Why would you think this will be the better game? It will be over at halftime. And Louisville is awful to watch anyway.

Cleveland Buck;1127860 wrote:Why would you think this will be the better game? It will be over at halftime. And Louisville is awful to watch anyway.

That is your opinion, and that is fine. Louisville will be ready, and give Kentucky the best game of anyone in the tourney. Pitino vs. Calipari got a love it. Ohio. St. vs. Kansas will not be as good.

wghfan;1127865 wrote:That is your opinion, and that is fine. Louisville will be ready, and give Kentucky the best game of anyone in the tourney. Pitino vs. Calipari got a love it. Ohio. St. vs. Kansas will not be as good.

And that is your opinion. But the people runnng the show and the entire country say that OSU/kansas will be the better game. No one outside of kentucky gives a shit about that game.

ytownfootball;1127735 wrote:The way Pitino sounded after the game last night, sounded like they achieved all they set out too, "Other than my kids being born this is the happiest day of my life"...I mean, you got a couple left there Ricker, might want to contain that a lil bit.

I agree with your assessment here. Usually a team that considers their load popped has in fact popped their load.

robj55;1127728 wrote:Uk should win this game handily, Louisville has overachieved to get to this point imo.

So has Kansas.

DeyDurkie5;1127867 wrote:And that is your opinion. But the people runnng the show and the entire country say that OSU/kansas will be the better game. No one outside of kentucky gives a shit about that game.

Well guess what, the people running the show, and the entire country are going to be wrong.

wghfan;1127875 wrote:Well guess what, the people running the show, and the entire country are going to be wrong.

kentucky will win by double digits. book it.