Kentucky
Kentucky-Louisville Men’s Hoops Rivalry Adds Spicy New Chapter
With five minutes and seven seconds remaining in a very good game between the Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats, a disappointingly dormant rivalry erupted back to life in Rupp Arena.
Louisville guard Reyne Smith dove on the floor for a loose ball in front of the Cardinals’ bench. Kentucky big man Brandon Garrison bent down and attempted to yank the ball away, but in the process fouled Smith. Tempers flared briefly—did Garrison attempt to drop a foot on Smith’s chest?—and Garrison was pushed by a scrum of players into the Louisville bench, a white jersey surrounded by red. Wildcats guard Lamont Butler joined the hubbub, and coach Mark Pope sprinted over to make sure nothing escalated. So did a handful of sheriffs, who quickly appeared on the court.
“That was probably the most fun part of the game, right?” Pope quipped afterward.
That moment—and the play of both teams before and after the little dustup—was exactly what the most heated rivalry in men’s college basketball needed. Some juice. Some edge. Some competitive heat. Some pride. Nothing stupid and nothing violent, but a clear indication that the Cards and Cats are going to resume going at each other without backing down.
Kentucky won the game, 93–85. That was the expected outcome, as the Cats improved to 10–1—better than expected for a completely new roster. But shorthanded Louisville (6–5), which has lost two key players for the season to injury, battled for 40 minutes against its hated rival. That’s more than the Cardinals have done in this game in years.
Here’s how it went during the dismal, disastrous two years with Kenny Payne as coach: Louisville trailed Kentucky 18–2 out of the gate in 2022 at Rupp; and Louisville trailed by 17 at halftime last year at home. They were early knockouts, after which Wildcats coach John Calipari insulted everyone’s intelligence by trying to prop up his former assistant, Payne, as a capable head coach. Payne was fired with an embarrassing 12–52 record after dragging the program to the bottom.
Now Louisville has a real coach in Pat Kelsey. And Kentucky has a real coach who knows what it means to play in this rivalry, having gone 1–1 against Louisville while playing for Rick Pitino during the 1994–95 and ’95–96 seasons. The memories of the 88–86 loss in Freedom Hall came flooding back to Pope on Friday night.
“The bus ride home from Louisville—I was in a full-on, teary-eyed sweat last night,” Pope said postgame. “I had blocked it out of my head and it all came rushing back. You get locked in a bus with Coach P for an hour and a half after a two-point loss against Louisville? Whew. I wouldn’t wish that on any of you. I bet only half you guys would come out alive.”
In an era of constant player movement, both these teams are stocked with first-year players who hail from all over the place and had no firsthand knowledge of what Kentucky vs. Louisville means, and what it has meant for 40 years. To help them understand, Pope had 15 former UK players write letters to the 15 current players to tell them their memories of playing Louisville. It was an inspired teaching moment.
“Those letters, they’re really, really special,” Pope said. “Some time five, 10, 15, 20 years from now, our guys will be writing letters to the next generation of players.”
Duke vs. North Carolina draws brighter lights and has probably produced more great games, but this is the basketball version of the Iron Bowl football rivalry between the Auburn Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide. In a state without major pro sports, this is an all-consuming competition between fan bases that can become a veritable culture war.
There was, memorably, a fight at a dialysis clinic between a Louisville fan and a Kentucky fan before the teams met in the 2012 Final Four. But every day of the year there are lesser skirmishes happening—in offices, on school buses, in bars, anywhere.
That’s especially true in the battleground city of Louisville, where the majority of the town wears red and black but a large minority wears blue and white. Get out further into the state and it’s almost all blue. Even after taking over a depressed program that had some of the spirit beaten out of it, Kelsey has quickly picked up on the dynamic.
“This is a great, great rivalry,” Kelsey said. “Not just in collegiate basketball, but it’s one of the really cool rivalries in all of American sports. We’ve got to do our part and win some to continue to make it a rivalry. It’s hard to truly describe—especially in our city of Louisville—how much this rivalry means. [The fans] reminded me early and often, every single day. Every time I get gas, every time I get something to eat in the community, ‘Hey Coach, how’s it going? You going to beat Kentucky this year?’ So I get it, I get it.
“When I walked out there today, I’m going to be honest with you, the pageantry of the Louisville-Kentucky rivalry hit me. I looked around and saw the atmosphere before the jump ball went up, and I took a minute to truly appreciate how special it was. But if it’s 365 days until we play again, I’m going to be reminded four million times when that game is coming up. And we’ll be looking forward to it.”
Kelsey will be thrilled that next year he won’t have to face fifth-year Kentucky guard Lamont Butler, who transferred in from San Diego State and was absolutely brilliant for the Wildcats. Butler had missed the last two games with an ankle injury and hadn’t even practiced much—then he went out and hung 33 on the Cardinals, making every shot from the field. Butler was 10-for-10, including 6-for-6 from three-point range, scoring a career-high 33 points.
“Lamont Butler just gave us one of the all-time great performances in the history of this super-special game,” Pope said, without exaggerating.
Butler had made only seven threes all season, out of 31 attempts. Then he lit up Louisville, opening the second half with three straight threes and scoring nine of Kentucky’s first 11 points after intermission.
“It was like [he was] touched by God,” Kelsey said of Butler’s shooting spree. “That ball was going in.”
But every time the Cats staggered the Cards with a run, Louisville answered. The Cardinals cut the deficit to three points twice in the second half on baskets by guard Chucky Hepburn (26 points, five assists). They cut it to five with just over three minutes remaining. But Kentucky never let it become truly nerve-wracking for the crowd of 21,093, which kept the heat on the visitors throughout.
“That’s the greatest atmosphere I’ve ever played in,” Louisville’s Terrence Edwards Jr. said.
That’s what this game should be like every year.
Collin Chandler’s arrival at BYU was a long time coming, and left fans in suspense for over four years. The highest-rated recruit in program history at the time, Chandler first committed to BYU basketball four years ago before departing on his two-year missionary service. The timing of his return couldn’t have been worse, as he arrived soon after the news that head coach Mark Pope would be leaving Provo for the same position at a blue blood and his alma mater, Kentucky.
Deny it and fight it as much as you can, but there was no avoiding the truth: Collin Chandler would be out the door in Provo before ever suiting up for the Cougars.
But now in the present day, two years through his collegiate career, Collin Chandler is back in Provo. Now under a new regime, Chandler hopes to fill the void left by Richie Saunders’ departure, and assume a leadership role with the program he left years ago.
All is forgiven for the prodigal son, but hearing why Chandler jumped ship from Lexington for a spot back in the Beehive State makes his decision to transfer from UK all the more fascinating. In a radio interview with ESPN The Fan, the blonde blur opened up about his choice to return home.
“There are a lot of great things about BYU off the court. But basketball-wise, I’m most excited about development,” the junior guard shared. “Coach [Kevin] Young’s NBA experience is unique. I want to play at the next level, and learning from someone with that background is huge.”
“I’ve talked to players who’ve worked with him, and they all say development is his strength. That’s what really stood out to me.”
Chandler continued, sharing the relationships that helped him confirm his decision to take another shot at BYU.
“I talked to Richie Saunders,” Chandler noted. “I also have a good relationship with [former BYU player] Trevin Knell since we had the same high school coach. They both gave me great insight and helped me think through everything.”
Collin went a bit further on the Saunders comparisons, acknowledging where their skill sets overlap.
“First off, being compared to Richie Saunders is an honor. He’s left an incredible legacy at BYU. With new rosters come new styles, but I think this year’s team will play fast, share the ball, and make plays for each other. We’ve got a lot of guys who can handle the ball, so I see myself as part of that—making plays, playing fast, and being part of a fun system.”
On the topic of players Chandler would be teaming up with at his new program, he noted some teammates he had already shared the floor with as well as others who he looked forward to familiarizing himself with.
“Experience is huge,” Chandler noted. “That’s something I learned at Kentucky; having guys who know the system makes a big difference. Having someone like Rob Wright back is big. […] Jake Wahlin [former Timpview alumni and Clemson transfer] is someone I know really well. We played AAU together and faced off in high school. I’m excited to play with him again.”
Finally, on the topic of his return to BYU, Chandler’s off-court priorities paired with Kevin Young’s unique on-court capabilities made the Cougars the obvious favorites.
“Utah has a great staff and is building something strong, but I love the culture at BYU. I love what Coach Young is building and the foundation that’s already there.”
“It just felt like home.”
Chandler will be a junior at BYU this season, and hopes to build an NBA portfolio strong enough to carry the Farmington, Utah, native to the highest level of professional hoops. If Kevin Young’s NBA bootcamp is as good as Chandler believes it to be, you’ll see him taking great strides this season.
Follow
Kentucky women’s basketball guard Asia Boone will be returning to Kentucky for her senior season, she announced.
Boone, who was a two-time All-Conference USA player at Liberty before arriving at Kentucky, averaged 10.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this season. She was originally the team’s sixth man and at times, served as the backup point guard to Tonie Morgan, but she earned a starting role later in the season as she started in 19 of Kentucky’s 36 games.
The 5-foot-8 guard is the second confirmed returner for the 2026-27 squad, joining All-SEC First Team center Clara Strack, who will also be a senior this upcoming season.
She was one of two players this season who broke Rhyne Howard’s program record for threes made in a single season. Amelia Hassett finished the year with 99 threes made, setting the new program record, but Boone was just behind her with 96 made threes on 263 attempts (36.5%).
Boone’s highest-scoring game of the season was against Morgan State, when she had 21 points on 8-10 (5-7 3PT). She had 18 points in Kentucky’s win at LSU on New Year’s Day and topped that with a 19-point effort against Texas A&M on Feb. 12.
Want more Kentucky WBB Coverage? Join KSR+
KSR has been delivering UK Sports news in the most ridiculous manner for almost two decades. Now, you can get even more coverage of the Cats with KSR+. In the middle of a busy for the Kentucky women’s basketball program, now is the perfect time to join our online community. Subscribe now for premium articles, in-depth scouting reports, inside intel, bonus recruiting coverage, and access to KSBoard, our message board featuring thousands of Kentucky fans around the globe. Come join the club right now for 50% off an annual subscription.
Kentucky quickly made its move on Syracuse star transfer Donnie Freeman in the portal, making immediate contact and hopping on a Zoom call before getting a visit scheduled for the following week. The Wildcats emerged as the likely landing spot, fighting off Alabama and UConn for his services — only for St. John’s and Tennessee to throw their hats into the ring and make their own late pushes going into the weekend.
There was serious optimism in Lexington that Mark Pope had batted down those Hail Mary throws by the Red Storm and Volunteers with a potential public commitment coming Sunday, only for the afternoon to turn into evening without a peep. Then came the late-night chatter that Rick Pitino had tossed another deep ball toward the end zone, an offer Freeman couldn’t refuse to ultimately land his services as the No. 19 overall player and No. 5 power forward in the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings. Kentucky had its chance to keep the bidding war alive and potentially flip the momentum back, but the fat lady has officially sung.
That’s a tricky predicament for Pope and the Wildcats, who already passed on Colorado transfer and Florida State pledge Sebastian Rancik to continue their pursuit of Freeman. That came after Magoon Gwath (DePaul) and DeSean Goode (Miami (FL)), two other confirmed targets, committed elsewhere, along with the departures of Mo Dioubate (LSU) and Andrija Jelavic (Ohio State) from Pope’s second roster in Lexington.
So, uh, who is left for the Wildcats? Let’s separate the potential candidates into four categories.
“Gotta make Brad Stevens say no”
Two absolute gems remain at the position and could make all of the Pope Whiff doomers stop in their tracks: Iowa State’s Milan Momcilovic and Santa Clara’s Allen Graves. You know both names because Kentucky played each of them in the NCAA Tournament, the former knocking the Wildcats out in the Round of 32 and the latter nearly doing so with a dagger in the final seconds of regulation — only to be topped by Otega Oweh’s half-court miracle at the buzzer.
They’re ranked No. 1 and No. 3 at the position, respectively, and are obvious home-run hits if UK can make contact. The issue? Despite entering the portal, they prefer to keep their names in the draft and will likely do so with first-round guarantees. A return to college isn’t impossible for either — Graves sits at No. 32 in ESPN’s latest draft rankings while Momcilovic comes in at No. 43 — but you won’t even get a meeting without $5M as a starting point, with the bidding likely finishing at or near the $6M mark. Are you ready to back up the Brinks truck? That’s the only option if you want the prized forwards.
Trending the wrong way — quickly
Now, if you’re looking for better value, Saint Mary’s Paulius Murauskas and Iowa’s Alvaro Folgueiras are both technically available, sitting at No. 2 and 11 at the position, respectively. Kentucky has had exploratory conversations with both players — the latter was seen as a serious target this time last offseason, as well — and the talent is there. Murauskas averaged 18.4 PPG and 7.6 RPG on 48/33/84 splits with the Gaels this season and earned All-WCC honors in each of the last two years. That would do the trick. Folgueiras averaged 8.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG and 2.2 APG for the Hawkeyes, but is most famous for hitting the game-winning three to beat Florida in the NCAA Tournament. Maybe not a can’t-miss superstar, but pretty darn solid for a pivot.
But, heavy emphasis on technically available — because they both have On3 RPM picks in favor of other schools. Murauskas is projected to follow his former St. Mary’s coach, Randy Bennett, to Arizona State, while Folgueiras is expected to land at *sigh* Louisville. They haven’t made public commitments, but the clock is ticking and Pope would have to make up a lot of ground in a hurry.
Both are highly unlikely to wear the blue and white.
Realistic, but not a needle-mover
If you’re looking for somebody solid to join the fold, James Madison’s Justin McBride is the perfect candidate. Standing 6-7, 240 pounds following previous stops at Oklahoma State and Nevada, the versatile forward earned Third Team All-Sun Belt honors, averaging 15.3 PPG, 5.6 RPG and 1.5 APG on 49/40/78 splits as a junior in Harrisonburg. Before that, he averaged 7.8 PPG and 4.2 RPG as a sophomore with the Wolfpack and 2.5 PPG and 1.5 RPG as a freshman with the Cowboys.
Finding his fourth home in four years, McBride is scheduled to visit Lexington this week, he tells Jacob Polacheck of KSR+. That comes after a Zoom meeting with the staff last week.
He’s productive with experience as a journeyman, finally tapping into his potential as a former top-125 recruit out of high school after seeing his role increase as a junior. There is a lot to like there, but the idea was for the Plano, TX native to serve as a complementary plug-and-play backup, staggering minutes with the go-to starter. You absolutely take him, but with the idea that you still need much more.
Potential wildcards
No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes is trending heavily toward Kansas — and he’s also more of a jumbo wing capable of playing 1-4 more than a true power forward — but the conversation starts there in terms of obvious names to upgrade talent on a roster desperate for upgrades. Whatever it takes if you’re Pope, no matter how unlikely.
The Wildcats have also been involved with No. 15 overall prospect Miikka Muurinen, who is undeniably talented, but there are maturity questions. North Carolina and Arkansas are among those to poke around, but there is a risk factor to keep in mind before automatically connecting those dots.
Pope went overseas to find Jelavic, so maybe that’s the path? It’s possible, but easier said than done when looking for obvious star talent. That was supposed to be the 6-11 forward, coming in with multiple years of eligibility and committing to Kentucky after a single conversation — exactly what you’d want when going down that road. The Wildcats weren’t able to see that process through and there is no guarantee the next international find won’t have similar year-one hiccups.
You also can’t rule out that another wave of portal announcements won’t come over the next 24 hours before things close tomorrow at midnight. Auburn’s Sebastian Williams-Adams is an intriguing option that popped up Monday, making himself available following a successful rookie season on the Plains. He started in 21 of 36 games for the Tigers, averaging 6.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 27.2 minutes per contest as a former four-star prospect out of high school.
You’re hoping and praying at that point that something presents itself that fits and elevates Kentucky’s ceiling in 2026-27. Odds are good — and someone will want to take the big pile of cash in Lexington — but no guarantees beyond the options already in front of us.
One thing we know for sure? Kentucky’s starting power forward will not be Donnie Freeman, and the search continues for Mark Pope.
-
Delaware1 minute agoDelaware’s first elementary school radio station hits the airwaves
-
Florida8 minutes agoFlorida investigating AI role in mass shooting at university
-
Georgia14 minutes agoMan accused in fatal Georgia shooting spree dies in jail, officials say
-
Hawaii20 minutes agoPolice Commission narrows Honolulu chief candidates to 6 semifinalists
-
Idaho26 minutes ago11-year-old from Idaho competing for $20K, national spotlight – East Idaho News
-
Illinois32 minutes agoGOP Rep. Ryan Spain opposes Illinois redistricting changes
-
Indiana38 minutes agoSuspects flee robbery at Chase Bank in Plainfield
-
Iowa43 minutes agoIowa State football lands 2027 3-star linebacker commit Keaton Wollan