Louisville Cardinals will wear Retro Jerseys today against Kentucky

Kenny Payne and the Louisville Cardinals basketball team will need all the help they can get Saturday as they travel to Rupp Arena to face the 19-ranked University of Kentucky Wildcats. The Louisville Athletic department just announced the Cardinals will be wearing their Retro Red Away Jerseys for the matchup. Help may be hard-pressed, but they’ll at least look fashionable for the matchup.

The Louisville Cardinals are 2-11 overall, one of two ACC teams with losing records in 2022, but 1-1 against Kentucky-based teams. In November, the Cardinals lost to Bellarmine by a single point but defeated Western Kentucky on December 14th.

Kentucky, though ranked 19th, has more talent and experienced coaching than the Cardinals have, but have also proven to be beatable in 2022. The Wildcats face Louisville after losing an ugly contest against the Missouri Tigers, who are 12-1 with new head coach Dennis Gates.

In October, Payne spoke on the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry.

"“It’s on Louisville to make it a rivalry. It’s not on Kentucky. Kentucky has been dominant, there’s been a lot of success. We have to bring it. We have to up it. We have to meet them on a level playing field that makes them worry about us.”"

Louisville will need production on offense in all facets today. The Cardinals rank as one of the worst offensive teams in the country with a turnover-to-assist ratio of 0.52. Out of 363 NCAA teams, the Louisville Cardinals rank 361st, ranking only better than Florida A&M and Mississippi Valley State. In comparison, Kentucky ranks 21st overall.

Guard play will be essential. Starting guards El Ellis and Mike James will have a difficult task Saturday as they match up against senior Sahvir Wheeler, who averages 6.5 assists per game, and freshmen Carson Wallace, who averages 2.5 steals per game. James may need help matching up against the quicker Wallace Saturday.