The No. 18 Louisville women’s basketball team is gearing up for another fierce battle with their in-state rival, the Kentucky Wildcats. The highly-anticipated Battle of the Bluegrass is set to take place this Sunday, December 10 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The game will kick off at 2 p.m. ET and will be nationally broadcasted on the ACC Network.
Louisville enters this clash with momentum on their side, as they are currently riding a four-game winning streak. Their most recent victory was a dominant 80-40 performance against NC A&T on December 3 at home. The Cardinals’ defense once again proved to be formidable, as they secured their 38th consecutive win when holding their opponents to 59 points or less. In fact, Louisville has limited their opponents to 59 points or fewer in five of their nine games this season.
The Cardinals showcased their defensive prowess in their win over the Aggies, forcing a season-high 31 turnovers. This marked the most turnovers they have generated since the 2021-22 season. Impressively, Louisville has forced 20 or more turnovers in seven consecutive games, and in eight out of their nine games this season. Their ability to create turnovers has earned them a ranking of 16th in the nation, with an average of 22.8 forced turnovers per game.
This upcoming match against Kentucky will mark the Cardinals’ third encounter with a team from the SEC this season, having already played against Alabama and No. 19/20 Ole Miss. In the previous season, Louisville triumphed over both Kentucky and Ole Miss in their meetings, boasting a perfect 2-0 record against SEC opponents.
The Cardinals are eager to close the gap in the all-time series against the Wildcats, as they currently trail 23-34. Under the leadership of head coach Jeff Walz, Louisville has fared better against Kentucky, boasting a 9-6 record since his tenure began. The Cardinals have also enjoyed a six-game winning streak against the Wildcats dating back to the 2015-16 season, making it the longest winning streak for Louisville in the history of this rivalry.
In their last meeting, Louisville emerged victorious with an 86-72 scoreline at Rupp Arena in the Battle for the Bluegrass. This marked their sixth consecutive win over their rivals, setting a new record for the longest winning streak in the history of the rivalry. Liz Dixon had a standout performance, scoring a season-high 16 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Morgan Jones contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks, while Olivia Cochran tallied nine points and led the team with nine rebounds. The Cardinals also set a program record by making 33-of-39 free throws in the game.
For the latest updates on Louisville women’s basketball, fans can visit GoCards.com or follow the team on Instagram (@LouisvilleWBB) or Facebook (facebook.com/louisvillewbb).
