The Cardinals are coming off a strong performance in their last meet, the Ohio State Invitational, where they finished third in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Ohio State took first place in the women’s competition, followed by Indiana in second and Louisville in third. On the men’s side, Indiana claimed the top spot, with Ohio State in second and the Cardinals in third.

Fans can catch all the action on SEC Network+ with Jeff Piecoro and Christi Thomas providing the commentary. The game will also be broadcasted on UK Sports Network and 630 AM WLAP, with the Voice of the Wildcats, Darren Headrick, calling the play-by-play.

Last season, Kentucky ended on a high note, finishing ranked No. 5 in the country. They made an impressive run to the quarterfinals at the NCAA Tournament and reached the semifinals at ITA Indoor Nationals. The team also secured their second-ever SEC Tournament Championship and reached the No. 2 spot in the national rankings. Kentucky is eager to continue their success and build upon their achievements from last season.

Hood will play a key role in helping student-athletes succeed in personal, academic, and athletic development through UK’s “40 for 40” program. He will also work alongside Eddie Gran, special assistant to the head coach, in areas such as NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and player branding, as well as community service opportunities.

Louisville is coming off an exciting 77-72 road victory against Miami in their ACC opener on New Year’s Eve. This win extended their perfect record in ACC openers to 10-0 since joining the league in 2014-15. It also snapped Miami’s 17-game home winning streak. Jayda Curry and Merissah Russell played pivotal roles in this victory, with Curry leading the team with a season-high 19 points and Russell scoring 11-straight points in the fourth quarter to secure the win. Kiki Jefferson also reached a milestone in the game, surpassing 2,000 career points.

Nayelis Cabello hails from Clermont, Florida, where she played for East Ridge High School under the guidance of head coach Mayra Cuebas. Cabello, a 6-0 setter, also shined on the club circuit for Top Select Volleyball Academy under coach German Del-Valle. Her impressive performances earned her All-American honors twice and she was a part of the AAU runner-up squad in 2023. Cabello’s talent was further recognized when she was named an MVP at the Under Armour Next Selection Camp in 2022.

The Cardinals are coming into this game after a 12-day break since their loss to in-state rival Kentucky on December 21. On the other hand, Virginia has played twice since the holiday, winning against Morgan State but falling to Notre Dame in their most recent outing.

The group had the chance to interact with professionals in the business sector at Pacers Sports & Entertainment, where they received an exclusive tour of Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They also visited adidas Indianapolis for insights into potential career paths.

To participate, fans can call the Clark’s Pump-N-Shop phoneline at 1-800-606-GAME (4263) or (859) 280-2287. Alternatively, fans can also submit their questions via Twitter by tweeting to @UKSportsNetwork.

Louisville once again showcased their dominance in ACC openers, extending their perfect record to 10-0 since joining the league in the 2014-15 season. This marked the third time they have faced a ranked opponent in their ACC opener.