Impact of the Louisville crowd on Kentucky in this true road game
Kentucky and Louisville have both been consistently among the Top 5 teams in fan attendance over the last few decades. With plenty of Wildcat fans in the Louisville Metro area, Kentucky has always seemed to have considerable representation on the road, at Louisville.
Louisville’s attendance has been down since news of scandals broke before the start of last season and it’s been noticeable in the stands. This Kentucky game offers and opportunity to bring fans back into the world-class facility that is the Yum! Center and perhaps even change the national perception of the Louisville program.
Kentucky has yet to play a true road game and this is perhaps, both the best and worst case scenario for them to do so. On one hand Kentucky will have plenty of fan support at the game. On the other hand there are few, if any, college rivalries more contemptuous than this one and the home crowd is sure to be relentless.
Coach John Calipari has proven unbothered by the rivalry matchup on the road and is an even 2-2 at Louisville while coaching the Wildcats. Coach Chris Mack’s squad though is a perfect 8-0 at home on the season.
Atmosphere Advantage: Louisville
What's the best rivalry in college basketball: Louisville-Kentucky or Duke-UNC?
— ESPNU (@ESPNU) December 21, 2016
Watch Kentucky at Louisville tonight at 7 ET on ESPN
All in all the game will surely come down to shot selection from distance and aggression around the rim. Kentucky as a whole and individually is wildly more heralded than Chris Mack’s group of Pitino leftovers and graduate school band-aids. Louisville will have a chance to make a national statement before heading into ACC Conference play while Kentucky is looking to get a tournament resume boosting win, and set the tone for how this young team handles the rest of their road schedule.
I won’t even attempt to give a final prediction as rivalries are always unpredictable and this game will be perhaps one of the most competitive matchups in recent memory. My only prediction is that whoever wins, UofL vs. UK will be the day’s best game.