Kentucky and Louisville don’t just dislike each other, they despise each other. The proximity of the campuses makes for divided households, heated holiday dinners, and year-round trash talk. Does not matter what sport it is, but basketball holds a little extra heat. But when it comes to actual basketball history, Kentucky has a trump card that Louisville can’t touch.
When new Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey praised Mark Pope and claimed both programs were “among the best in the country,” one Kentucky fan fired back with the ultimate clapback.
Think about that: Kentucky has reached the Elite Eight only five fewer times than Louisville has even qualified for the tournament. Ouch, a program that calls itself PGU has barely been to the tournament more than it's biggest rival has been to the Elite 8. That stat floored fans across social media.
It gets worse for Louisville fans
Kentucky takes down Louisville 93-85. Lots of L’s down from this group. #BBN @FOX56News pic.twitter.com/5XtAtFKvFU
— Colby Wilson (@colbyywilsonn) December 15, 2024
And the gap widens when you zoom out and iook at the entire history:
- Kentucky owns 8 national titles, compared to Louisville’s 3.
- The Wildcats have 17 Final Fours, Louisville 10 (two vacated).
- All-time wins? Kentucky is up above 2,400, Louisville is just under 600 behind just getting up above 1800.
For Louisville fans, it’s salt in an old wound. They are a good program, they just aren't elite. For Kentucky fans, it’s pure joy, another reminder that the rivalry is as lopsided historically as it is passionate in real time. In fact Louisville has not won a game in Rupp Arena since 2008. It has been nearly 20 years since the Cards could get a win on their rivals court.
When they meet again on November 11, which is a terrible draw for both teams, expect this stat to resurface, because it is always fun to remind Louisville that they are just little brother.
Drew Holbrook is an avid Kentucky fan who has been covering the Cats for over 10 years. In his free time he enjoyes downtime with his family and Premier League soccer.You can find him on X here.Micah 7:7. #UptheAlbion