As contiguous states with some history of conflict — recall the interstate unpleasantness between Hatfields and McCoys — the universities of Kentucky and West Virginia would seem primed for a contentious sports rivalry.
Except, in men’s basketball, the Wildcats and Mountaineers have not played enough to really be classified “rivals.”
When John Calipari’s Wildcats (15-5) visit Bob Huggins’ No. 7 Mountaineers (16-4) Saturday at 7 p.m. as part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge, it will only be the 21st all-time meeting between the teams in a series the Wildcats lead 15-5.