Wildcats Seek Sixth Straight Win Over Cardinals

Kentucky and Louisville meet annually on the hardwood in women’s basketball in an intense, intrastate rivalry game. But lately, the Wildcats have had all of the best in the series, beating the Cardinals five straight times, dating back to the 2011-12 season.

Last year, the teams met in Rupp Arena, and Kentucky posted a convincing 72-54 win behind 24 points from Makayla Epps. The Wildcats shot 51.8 percent from the floor, while holding Louisville to just 36.4 percent shooting.

Kentucky head coach Matthew Mitchell knows the recent history, but does not believe there is a specific reason his team has had such success against their rivals.

“We’ve been very fortunate to have players make plays,” said Mitchell, who is 6-3 against Louisville as the Kentucky head coach. “It’s not like they’re blowout wins or anything. We’ve just been really fortunate to have tough-minded players make plays at the right times. We’ve found some kind of way to make more plays in the game.”

The Cats and the Cards clash again on Sunday in the Derby City, and Mitchell knows his team will be in for a battle.

“It’s always rowdy and electric at the Yum Center, they do a great job of getting their fans in there,” Mitchell said. “Our challenge on the road will be Louisville’s outstanding players, outstanding coach and outstanding fans. It’s just a really difficult game.”

Kentucky, currently ranked 17th in the country, is coming off of perhaps its best performance of the season, an 82-68 win over No. 12 Oklahoma on Thursday night at Memorial Coliseum. Epps had a season-high 30 points, while sophomore Maci Morris had career highs in both points (19) and rebounds (eight).

Epps, a senior from Lebanon, Kentucky, knows that the game between the Cats and the Cards is very important.

“I tell (my teammates) jokingly all the time, ‘I don’t care if we win a game all year,’ but that game Sunday, I need it’,” Epps said. “It’s Kentucky versus Louisville, so it will be fun win, lose or draw.”

No. 7 Louisville, which has been ranked as high as fourth nationally this season, has lost its last two games after falling to No. 5 Maryland 78-72 on Thursday night. In their previous outing, the Cardinals were blown out by third-ranked South Carolina, 83-59.

Despite those results, Mitchell knows that the Cardinals are very good.

“They have another really great team again this year,” Mitchell said. “They are extremely athletic, extremely talented and always well-coached.”

Mitchell knows that his team will need to be at its best, and perhaps have an edge to them, heading into Sunday’s contest.

“It is a rivalry game and it’s important for our team right now,” said Mitchell. “There’s a lot on the line here.”

Win or lose, Mitchell knows that playing Louisville is good for his team’s development.

“We’ve always enjoyed this competition,” he said of the series. “It’s always been a tough game, but it’s always made us better. I feel like playing Louisville is a challenge that always benefits our team.”

Getting a sixth straight win over the Cardinals, in addition to getting better, would be an ideal scenario for the Wildcats.