On Saturday at high noon, the University of Kentucky Wildcats met the University of Louisville Cardinals at Rupp Arena for the annual men’s basketball matchup. The Sporting News recently ranked the rivalry the second best college basketball rivalry in the country, with Duke/North Carolina being in the top spot. Of course that’s debatable, but there’s no doubt there isn’t a more intense annual game in college basketball. Unlike the Tobacco Road rivalry, when the Cats and the Cards meet, it’s a one time affair… for all the marbles.
Since the Wildcats and the Cardinals began the annual series in the mid 80s, the games have often been the highlight college basketball season, especially in the Commonwealth.