Kentucky vs. Louisville set for November 11 — and Big Blue Nation hates it
There are shakeups. And then there’s whatever this is.
In a move that’s left Kentucky basketball fans confused, frustrated, and asking “Why?”, the Wildcats’ annual grudge match with archrival Louisville will be played on Tuesday, November 11 — marking the earliest meeting in series history and throwing decades of tradition out the window.
This isn’t just any game. It’s the Battle for the Bluegrass, a game that has almost always been circled in red ink for the holiday season. A late December slugfest. A post-Christmas palate cleanser. A New Year’s measuring stick. Instead, this year it’s being tucked away on a random Tuesday night, less than a week into the season.
And fans are already letting their feelings be known, Nick Roush of KSR posted on X:
“In December, I wrote about how the Kentucky-Louisville Rivalry was officially back. A big part of that? They played the game at a time when it mattered, on a freaking Saturday in December. Moving it to 11/11 is disrespectful to both fanbases.”
And fans in the comments are all in agreement. It is even being played BEFORE the Champions Classic.
📅 A history of December showdowns
Just take a look at the tradition. Since 1994, the Kentucky-Louisville game has never been played before December 18. Here are just a few of the most memorable matchups:
Dec. 28, 2019: Immanuel Quickley, Nick Richards, and Ashton Hagans knock off No. 3 Louisville in OT.
Dec. 26, 2020: The Cards get rare bragging rights in a 62–59 win.
Dec. 31, 2022: Kentucky rolls 86–63 in a New Year’s Eve romp.
That history, that drama, that holiday energy — gone.
⏪ The earliest meeting ever
November 11th will be the earliest tip in the history of the modern rivalry, which dates back annually to 1983. The only games that came close were:
- November 26, 1983 (Louisville win)
- November 27, 1993 (UK win)
- Dec. 12, 1987 (UK win)
So early-season meetings are exceedingly rare — and certainly not what anyone expects from this high-stakes, high-emotion affair.
❓Why the change?
As of now, there’s been no official explanation for the move. It could be television. It could be scheduling conflicts. It could even be an experiment. But it doesn’t sit right with fans or alumni.
“Kentucky basketball will be playing Louisville before Kentucky football plays Louisville this year. That's insane!" Chris Beasmore said. And he is right, in what world does it make sense for the basketball teams to play before the football teams?
👀 What this means for Kentucky
For Mark Pope and the Wildcats, it means they’ll face their biggest in-state rival before the team even finds its footing. Roster turnover from the transfer portal will be fresh. Chemistry might still be a work in progress. It's an unusual spot for both programs who are coming off succesful seasons.
📊 The series so far
Kentucky leads the all-time series handily and has won 11 of the last 14, including a 93–85 win last December in Rupp Arena. Now, Pope will get his first taste of the rivalry at the Yum Center — just not when anyone expected it.
📺 Kentucky vs. Louisville
🗓️ New Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
📍 Location: Yum Center
📺 TV: TBD
🏀 Conclusion
Some games deserve better. The Kentucky–Louisville rivalry is one of them. And unless there’s a really good reason for this move — one that fans can get behind — expect more noise about why tradition was tossed out for a Tuesday.