Cards and Cats fans are typically used to seeing this game played on a weekend in December. However, due to scheduling issues with their respective non-conference schedules, a Tuesday night in early November will have to do. The 2025-2026 Louisville basketball team will host their bitter rival in a highly anticipated matchup Tuesday night at the KFC YUM! Center. The top 15 matchup will add yet another classic to the storied rivalry, hopefully in the Cardinals' favor.
Kentucky has had its fair share of wins in the rivalry recently, with the most recent being last season against a depleted Louisville Cardinals team battling the injury bug. This year proves to be different for the Cardinals, as all participants should be full-go for the Battle for the Bluegrass, pending good news on the J’Vonne Hadley front. Pat Kelsey will be able to put the incredible depth of this year’s Louisville squad on full display.
However, there will be a few Cardinals that will be key in Louisville’s ability to leave YUM! Tuesday night with a victory.
So, here are five Louisville Cardinals whose performance will make or break Louisville’s chances to win the Battle for the Bluegrass.