The Battle of the Bluegrass has been a Blowout—and the numbers back it up
Rivalries are supposed to be unpredictable. That’s what makes them great. But in the last decade-plus, the Battle of the Bluegrass has felt less like a feud and more like a formality.
Since 2013, Kentucky has won 11 of the last 13 meetings against Louisville, including blowouts, buzzer-beaters, and everything in between. The Wildcats have owned the rivalry, regardless of venue, coach, or roster makeup. 14-3 since 2010. The only two Cardinal wins in that span came in 2016 (a three-point squeakers in 2012 and 2016 and the COVID-limited 2020 season.
Since then? All Cats.
The latest chapter—set to be written by Mark Pope and Pat Kelsey—enters with a familiar vibe. Pope, heading into his second season in Lexington, is reloading with NBA-ready talent and momentum. Kelsey, entering year two in Louisville, is tasked with resurrecting a program that bottomed out under Kenny Payne, finishing 12-57 over two seasons before his arrival.
To understand just how one-sided things have gotten, consider this: Kentucky’s average margin of victory over Louisville in the past five wins is a staggering 18.2 points. That includes the 2023 drubbing, where Antonio Reeves lit up the Cards for 30 and Kentucky sprinted to a 95-76 victory in the YUM Center.
The recruiting gap hasn’t helped Louisville either. While Kentucky continues to churn out NBA talent, the Cards haven’t had a first-round pick since 2017. The days of Russdiculous and Montrezl Harrell feel long gone. That may change with Mikel Brown Jr., but it also might not.
The energy will be high when the two meet again in early November. Kelsey is a high-octane motivator and might finally bring some juice back to the Yum! Center. But until Louisville proves it can win with consistency, this rivalry is less Hatfield vs. McCoy and more David and Goliath, in this case Louisville is the giant.