While it may not weigh as much as previous battles, Saturday’s clash between the men’s basketball teams of the Louisville Cardinals and Kentucky Wildcats is still significant.
This will be the first time Kenny Payne will lead his alma mater against the school he once coached. After being so inconsistent this season, it’s a chance for the Wildcats to bounce back from yet another heartbreaking loss and return to the team they were expected to beat. Can Payne pull some tricks against old boss John Calipari, or can Coach Kull show who’s still the master and who’s the apprentice?
Kenny Payne:It’s up to the Cardinals to rebuild rivalry with Britain
To analyze the battle of bluegrass, we investigated how the Courier-Journal beat the reporter Brett Dawson When Ryan Black There are four questions containing predictions. Here’s their answers, and what you can expect when the game flips in the Wrap Arena on Saturday at noon.
Who will be the game’s MVP?
Dawson: The safest bet would be Kentucky point guard Cason Wallace, who by a good margin would be the best NBA prospect on the floor. , he is Britain’s best defender and will spend at least part of the match against Louisville’s El Ellis.
Ellis is an important cardinal and the best ballhandler, playmaker and scorer on the roster. L’s U upset odds are long, but Ellis is the card most likely to shorten them. He might need a game like the one against Western Kentucky – 30 points, 10 assists, his 3-point shooting going 4-for-7 – giving Louisville a chance to keep the distance. If Wallace can contain him on and off the ball, Louisville’s chances of an upset drop dramatically.
black: Don’t overthink this. Oscar Tshiebwe was named Player of the Year for a reason. Expect him to have another patented Double-Double. Here are Saturday’s final line predictions: 27 points, 22 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal.
Cat preparation:Louisville basketball could use a break before UK showdown, but don’t call it a vacation
What are you most looking forward to when Kentucky Basketball takes on Louisville?
Dawson: In a game that lacks marquee matchups, there’s something fun to see in paint.
Louisville’s skyrocketing Sydney Curry has been saving the season in recent games, averaging 12.8 points and 9.3 rebounds over the last four games after averaging 1.7 points and 3.6 boards over the first nine games .
Tshiebwe and the Kentucky frontline pose the biggest threat to Curry’s comeback to date. The Louisville big man saw his efforts falter in his 0-9 start for the team. He’s lost a few pounds thanks to his new diet and has been looking fitter lately. They can’t afford to make the playoffs against Tshiebwe, who is averaging 13 games per game and five games in the offensive end.
black: Brett mentioned it briefly before, but it’s fun to see Wallace play on-ball defense. It will be fun to see him and Ellis go head to head during Saturday’s game.Will Ellis be able to shake up a talented freshman, or will Wallace score eight steals and one game against Michigan State? Could he possibly make another one of his best defensive outs since breaking the record?
Sydney curry:Why Louisville Men’s Basketball’s Sidney Curry Loves Kenny Payne’s Personal Approach
Dynamic duo:Kentucky’s Chris Livingston and Lance Ware vs. UCLA Stars Start Shining
Did Kenny Payne actually win those games?
Dawson: of course not. Even Payne doesn’t think so.
The Louisville head coach spent 10 seasons as John Calipari’s assistant at the University of Kentucky, where he excelled in recruiting and player development, contributing to numerous victories. He played a key role in expanding Anthony Davis’ attacking game, strengthening Carl his Anthony Towns, and Nick his Richards from project to post-presence. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
But those guys, and Devin Booker, Julius Randle, Bam Adebayo, and others, won those games over and over again. And Calipari deserves most of the coaching credit. He was the closer for Recruit and the man to set his fives in the starting line-up and finishing.
If anything, Calipari (and Payne, for that matter) may have missed some of the X-and-O help provided by former assistant John Robic.
As for “Kenny Payne Won These Games,” it’s hilarious. If you’re a card fan, put it on a T-shirt. Enjoy the beats the Kentucky program skipped in Payne’s absence.
don’t take it too seriously.
“I’ve heard that phrase before,” Payne told the Courier Journal in May.
where are they now?2013 U of L Men’s Championship Basketball Team
black: It’s funny. That’s all.
Of course, the pane Department in victory. All members of the program receive at least a small amount of credit after winning. Ultimately, players deserve most of that praise. After all, they are actually winning. Calipari is next in line on the credits totem pole.
Just because Payne is further down the list when the credits are handed out doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be proud of all he accomplished during his time at Lexington.
where are they now?2012 University of Kentucky Men’s Championship Basketball Team
best of the best:Kentucky Men’s Basketball All-Time Coach Victory Leader?
May I call you upset? Can Louisville basketball beat Kentucky?
Dawson: No.
See, all the pressure here is on Kentucky. Calipari has been criticized by fans. The Cats start the season as title contenders and enter New Year’s Eve with a questionable tournament resume. And there’s a good chance Britain will be tight and Louisville will be playing loose, which makes it interesting.
But the Cats’ enthusiasm centers on a consistent problem: an inability to beat quality opponents. , outperforming by 19.3 points per 100 possessions in those games.
Ranked 344th on the NET, Louisville are Quad 4’s opponents. And Kentucky revels in them, going 5-0 and leading by 45.8 points per 100 possessions.
Given how competitive it is, let’s assume it’s a little closer than that. Kentucky 74, Louisville 59.
Louisville vs. Kentucky:Underdog beat rival 5 times
black: No.
Missouri’s lopsided victory over Kentucky on Wednesday might have been the worst possible outcome for Louisville. Britain is frustrated and enters Saturday’s contest, ready to vent her frustrations. Given the string of issues the Cardinals have had this season, it’s not like they needed something against them.
Louisville keeps it within single digits at the break before Kentucky pulls away in the second half. Kentucky 82, Louisville 64.