Proximity has not made the heart grow fonder, as Kentucky and Louisville have one of the most intense rivalries in college basketball. It is just an hour-long drive up the I-64 between Rupp Arena and the KFC Yum! Center, where the Wildcats and Cardinals will clash for the 49th time Wednesday. John Calipari has rarely tasted defeat in the rivalry, as Kentucky is 8-1 since Calipari took over as coach.
- Kentucky is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games against Louisville.
- The total has gone UNDER in 12 of the last 17 games between Kentucky and Louisville.
- Louisville is 12-0 SU in its last 12 games at the KFC Yum! Center.
Trying to run with Kentucky has been practically impossible this season, as the Wildcats tally 95.2 points per game, with each offensive possession lasting an average of 13.8 seconds. UK has been incredibly efficient, with the team shooting a collective 49 percent from the field and seven players shooting over 50 percent on the year. Malik Monk is coming off the greatest offensive game from a freshman in Kentucky history, as the guard scored 47 points in a 103-100 victory over UNC.
Louisville has been the opposite of Kentucky, averaging 78.5 ppg while holding opponents to just 59.4 points. Rick Pitino has orchestrated a defensive scheme that has not allowed a single Louisville opponent to score more than 71 points this season. Offensively, Louisville is balanced, with four players averaging between 9.5 and 11.7 points.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Louisville Cardinals were listed as -1-point favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark earlier in the day. It opened first at Sportsbook, where the over/under betting odds total was expected shortly.
Kentucky Wildcats vs Louisville Cardinals Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the Kentucky Wildcats have watched them go 10-1 and 8-3 ATS on the college basketball season, while the Louisville Cardinals are at 10-1 and 7-2 ATS. In totals betting, the Louisville Cardinals are 2-6, while the Kentucky Wildcats have a 7-3 mark.
The Odds Shark Power Rankings have the Louisville Cardinals at No. 9 and the Kentucky Wildcats at No. 1 heading into this college basketball betting matchup.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Louisville has the nation's No. 77-rated offensive output, at 78.45 PPG. The visiting Kentucky Wildcats defense ranks No. 153 allowing on average 71.64 PPG. The Cardinals FG% has averaged 43.44% so far, less than the Louisville Wildcats marksmen have achieved on the year, 48.98% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The battle between the Wildcats and Pride didnt turn out to be much of a battle at all as Hofstra was handed a 96-73 defeat on Sunday at Barclays Center.
The battle between the Cardinals and Tigers didnt turn out to be much of a battle at all as Texas Southern was handed a 102-71 defeat on Saturday at KFC Yum! Center.
- Kentucky is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games
- Kentucky is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Kentucky's last 7 games
- Kentucky is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- Louisville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- Louisville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
- Louisville is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Kentucky
- Louisville is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Kentucky
Next Betting Matchups
Kentucky at Mississippi, Thursday, December 29th
Louisville at Virginia, Wednesday, December 28th
