road game

Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell, experienced veterans on the team, are well aware of the challenges that await the Cats in hostile environments like Bud Walton Arena. Mitchell understands that every game against Kentucky is a big one for the opposing fans.

The Wildcats currently hold an 8-7 record for the season, with a 0-2 record in true road games and a 1-0 record in the SEC. Kentucky is on a four-game winning streak and has been victorious in six of their last eight games. In their conference opener, the Wildcats triumphed over Arkansas with a score of 73-63. This win improved their record to 8-0 when scoring at least 70 points during the 2023-24 season.

Louisville comes into the game with an impressive six-game winning streak, following their 74-48 victory over Morehead State on Wednesday. The Cardinals have been dominant at home this season, boasting a 6-0 record in front of their home crowd. Their latest win saw Olivia Cochran shine, as she contributed 16 points and secured her second double-double of the season with 11 rebounds.

Louisville is coming off a tough 75-68 road loss to Virginia Tech in their ACC opener. Meanwhile, DePaul is looking to bounce back after a 89-64 defeat at the hands of Texas A&M, marking their fifth consecutive loss.

Louisville head coach Kenny Payne acknowledged the Hokies’ dominance in the second half, stating, “They took the fight to us, especially in the second half. They’re a well-coached team, hard-fighting team, and hard to beat at home. I thought we did a lot of things well, but at critical times I just thought we made mistakes. Especially in the second half, they shot 48% and made 19 of 23 free throws. To me, that’s the game.”

Leading up to this game, Louisville bounced back from a tough loss with an impressive 61-41 victory over Coppin State at home. On the other side, Texas showed their dominance as they cruised to a 80-64 win against Rice, improving their record to 3-0.

The Wildcats currently hold a 2-1 record for the season after suffering a loss to Austin Peay in their last game. Despite the setback, senior forward Ajae Petty continues to impress. Petty notched a career-high tying 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds in the game, marking her second double-double of the season. Her performance places her among the elite in the Southeastern Conference as one of only nine players to achieve multiple double-doubles this year. Petty also contributed three steals, highlighting her defensive prowess. She currently ranks second in the conference and 15th in the nation in rebounds per game, averaging an impressive 12.0.

Running back Ray Davis understands the importance of taking the crowd out of the game early. He recognizes that the fans will be loud and supportive of their home team, but that won’t faze the Cats. Davis emphasizes the need for the team to stay composed and focused on their own performance on the field.