How it happened: No. 12 Louisville led by guards over No. 9 Kentucky
It was fireworks from the opening tip in the 58th edition of the Battle of the Bluegrass between No. 12 Louisville and No. 9 Kentucky, a game that ended 96-88 in favor of the Cardinals.
It’s the U of L’s first victory over the Wildcats since 2020.
Freshman point guard Mikel Brown Jr. was a star. He totaled a game-high 29 points on 8-for-16 shooting, including three 3s and 10 free throws. His counterpart, Ryan Conwell, was also spectacular. The senior was second on the team with 24 points, making four shots from deep. The two also combined for seven assists and just one turnover.
By the end of the night, the Cards had six turnovers to the Cats’ 14, which became a difference-maker. Louisville scored 19 points off those turnovers. Louisville led by as many as 20 and was in control for 37:42 of game time — a staggering and dominant offensive performance.
Louisville shot 45 percent from the field and 33 percent (13-of-41) from beyond the arc. The Cards also made 21-of-31 free throws. Including seven consecutive misses to end regulation as Kentucky played the foul game.
J’Vonne Hadley (concussion protocol) didn’t play in the second game of the season against Jackson State, and didn’t start Tuesday versus UK. He still provided nine points and a team-best eight rebounds.
Starting center and German big man Sananda Fru was perfect from the floor and was the third Cardinal to be in double-figures, also recording seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. The first center off the bench, the Egyptian, Aly Khalifa, also recorded four assists.
Also worth noting in the statbook is Cardinals sophomore guard Adrian Wooley
Kentucky’s Denzel Aberdeen led the Cats in scoring with 26 points and netted four 3s.
Opposite of Otega Oweh, the SEC Preseason Player of the Year, had a rough night. The 6-foot-4 senior fouled out with two assists and five turnovers. He scored just 12 points.
The Wildcats surged late, eventually cutting the lead to single digits in the final minutes and forcing Louisville to close it out. If there was a negative to take away from tonight, it would be a 42-40 rebounding deficit for Louisville. Kentucky had 13 offensive rebounds, 16 second-chance points, and 40 points in the paint.
Louisville, now 3-0, returns to action on Saturday as the Cardinals host the Ohio Bobcats at noon.
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Watch Brown and Conwell speak here.
