Louisville vs Kentucky Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds and Picks
Bitter Bluegrass State Rivals Set to Collide
Wildcats Looking to Crush Cardinals at Home
There are some great conference rivalries in college basketball, but it’s a great in-state rivalry that will have all of the attention on Saturday. The Kentucky Wildcats host the Louisville Cardinals, and there is no love lost between these two programs.
It’s been a miserable start to the season for the Louisville Cardinals, who are 2-11 through their first 13 games. Louisville has lost two straight games and is losing to teams that aren’t expected to be any good.
Kentucky has lost two of its last three games and has not been as good as expected. The Wildcats are still in the Top 25 at No. 19, but they are just 8-4 and need to get things figured out.
When the college basketball odds for this game are available, you are going to see that the Kentucky Wildcats are the betting favorites in this one.
Let’s check the latest college basketball odds, stats, and injury reports for Louisville vs Kentucky.
Louisville Searching for Offense
The Louisville Cardinals have plenty of issues that need to be fixed, but a lack of offense is at the top of the list. Louisville is scoring just 61 points per game and has been shut down by some weak opponents.
Guard El Ellis is leading the team with 17 points per game, but he just hasn’t gotten enough help along the way. Louisville is going to have to shoot the ball well from deep to keep this game close.
The defense for the Cardinals has also been an issue as they are allowing over 73 points per game. Louisville must find a way to be better on both ends of the floor.
Kentucky Needs to Defend
After a blowout loss to the Missouri Tigers to begin SEC play, head coach John Calipari was critical of his team. “Guys in these games are not performing, and it’s your job to perform,” Calipari said. “You get the minutes, you have to go do it. If you have a job to do, you have to do it.”
Kentucky gave up 89 points to the Tigers in that loss and is going to have to find a way to get some stops. The Wildcats are catching a huge break against Louisville, which is not a good offensive team.
Forward Oscar Tshiebwe is having another big season as he leads the way for the Wildcats with 15.8 points and 13.6 rebounds per game. Kentucky is going to need a young player to step up to provide some additional scoring.
Louisville vs Kentucky Head-to-Head
Looking at the past results in a rivalry can help when betting online and there is plenty of history with this matchup. Kentucky leads the all-time series by a count of 37-17, but Louisville did pick up a win at home in the last meeting between the two schools.
Louisville vs Kentucky Game Information
- Game: Louisville Cardinals (2-11) at Kentucky Wildcats (8-4)
- Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
- Day/Time: Saturday, Dec. 31, Noon ET
- Louisville vs Kentucky Live Stream: TBS.com
Louisville vs Kentucky Betting Lines
Louisville vs Kentucky Picks & Prediction
It will still be awhile before the March Madness odds really start to matter, but games like this will impact those odds. Louisville is looking for a huge win to jump-start its season and Kentucky is simply looking to get back on track.
You should always think about taking the points in a big rivalry game as both teams will want to keep this game close. Louisville is a big underdog in this one, but don’t be surprised to see the Cardinals battle.
Head to BetUS Sportsbook and take the Wildcats to win, but you should also take the points as Louisville will keep it close.
