Kentucky basketball’s big week: Men and women hoops rise together in AP polls after knocking off rivals

The road to greatness is paved with moments that define a season and coaching tenure. For Kentucky basketball and its two new top coaches (Kenny Brooks and Mark Pope), this past week was one of those moments.

It started in Atlanta, where the 19th-ranked Wildcats faced the evil empire of college basketball, Duke, in the Champions Classic. The stakes were clear for the Cats: a chance to cement their status among college basketball’s elite and make their mark on an all-time rivalry.

When the final horn sounded, Kentucky overcame a 9 point half time deficit , to down Duke 77-72, in a gritty battle. The win catapulted the Wildcats ten spots in the AP Poll, landing them in the top 10 at No. 9, a meteoric rise for Mark Pope’s squad that a lot of people expected to lose to Duke.

While the men’s team was celebrating their triumph, the Kentucky women were preparing for a momentous showdown of their own. In a sold-out Memorial Coliseum, the Lady Cats faced in-state rival Louisville, a ranked opponent and one they haven't defeated since 2015 (ironically, the last time Kentucky had beaten Duke). The energy was electric all night as both teams went at each other.

The game went into overtime, but when the dust settled, the Lady Cats secured a thrilling 71-61 victory. They not only earned bragging rights but also moved up five spots in the AP Poll to No. 15. For first-year head coach Kenny Brooks, it was a signature win and a sign of big things to come.

Now, Kentucky finds itself in elite company. With the men’s team at No. 9 and the women’s at No. 15, the Wildcats are one of only four schools to hold a top-15 ranking in both AP polls.

Joining them are UConn (No. 2 in both), Iowa State (No. 5 in men’s, No. 8 in women’s), and Duke (No. 12 in men’s, No. 14 in women’s).

This week was more than just a series of wins for Kentucky basketball; it was a statement. A program steeped in tradition and excellence is once again standing tall, proving that the heartbeat of Big Blue Nation runs strong from Rupp to Memorial.