Kentucky Wildcats vs Louisville Cardinals Picks and Predictions December 14th 2024

Rivalry Renewed: No. 5 Kentucky Hosts Louisville in Coaches’ First Clash

The historic rivalry between Kentucky and Louisville will enter a new era on Saturday, as both teams take the court with first-year head coaches at the helm. Kentucky’s Mark Pope and Louisville’s Pat Kelsey bring fresh approaches to their programs, each looking to make a statement in this storied matchup at Rupp Arena.

High-Octane Kentucky Offense

Mark Pope has revitalized Kentucky’s offense, which leads the nation with an impressive 91.1 points per game. The Wildcats’ high-scoring attack is fueled by balance, with six players averaging in double figures.

Guard Otega Oweh is the team’s top scorer at 15.6 points per game, while Koby Brea has been lethal from beyond the arc, hitting 56.1 percent of his 3-point attempts—second best in the country. Kentucky has proven its mettle with marquee wins over Duke and Gonzaga on neutral courts, bolstering its No. 5 ranking.

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Despite their explosive offense, the Wildcats have faced challenges with injuries. Point guard Lamont Butler (12.9 ppg, 3.9 apg) has missed two games due to an ankle injury, while Kerr Kriisa (4.4 ppg, 3.8 apg) is sidelined with a fractured foot. Pope remains optimistic about Butler’s potential return on Saturday, stating, “We’ll see how he feels when he wakes up, but I’d prefer he rejoins our team on the floor soon.”

Louisville’s Inconsistencies

Pat Kelsey’s up-tempo offense at Louisville mirrors Kentucky’s in pace, but the Cardinals have struggled to find consistency. Louisville averages 31.8 3-point attempts per game, ranking seventh nationally, but connects on just 27 percent of those shots, ranking 344th in Division I.

Despite their outside shooting woes, the Cardinals have excelled inside, converting nearly 60 percent of their attempts. Guard Chucky Hepburn leads Louisville with 14.1 points, 4.8 assists, and a remarkable 3.2 steals per game—second in the nation. Hepburn will be critical in breaking down Kentucky’s defense and generating offense for the Cardinals.

Guard Terrence Edwards Jr. has emerged as a key contributor off the bench, averaging 12.9 points per game and scoring 21 and 22 points in his last two outings. Louisville’s frontcourt remains undermanned, with Kasean Pryor and Koren Johnson out for the season and Aboubacar Traore recovering from a broken arm.

Recent Trends and Rivalry History

Kentucky has dominated recent meetings, winning five of the last six, including an unbeaten streak at Rupp Arena since 2008. Louisville enters Saturday’s game on the heels of a 77-74 victory over UTEP, where its free-throw shooting (25-for-34) compensated for subpar field-goal accuracy (39.7 percent).

The Cardinals have faced a gauntlet early in the season, with all four losses coming to ranked opponents. Kelsey is determined to turn his team’s tough schedule into a positive. “We’ve faced adversity early, but it’s a test of resilience and preparation,” Kelsey said.

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What to Watch

The Wildcats’ ability to maintain their offensive rhythm without Butler and Kriisa could be pivotal. Meanwhile, Louisville needs to find its stroke from 3-point range to have a shot at pulling off the upset. The matchup between Hepburn and Kentucky’s backcourt will be critical in determining which team controls the tempo.

Prediction

Kentucky’s depth, offensive firepower, and home-court advantage give the Wildcats the edge. Louisville’s defensive tenacity and Hepburn’s playmaking will keep it competitive, but expect Kentucky to pull away late.