Their are few rivals like Louisville and Kentucky, and it seems their is a high chance these two hated programs could meet up in the NCAA Tournament for jus the seventh time in the two programs histories.
Louisville basketball is currently led by Chucky Hepburn and Pat Kelsey as the Cardinals are 22-6, 15-2 in the ACC. While Kentucky is led by Otega Oweh, and Mark Pope and are currently 19-9, and 8-7 in the SEC.
Despite the glaring record differences, Kentucky is currently two spots ahead of Louisville in the AP rankings, as Wildcats are ranked No.17 and Cardinals are ranked No. 19. These two programs saw each other back in December, where Kentucky earned a 93-85 victory, but sparked Kelsey's squad to win 16 of their last 17 games.
It is no secret that these two programs don't like each other, and that is clear as day, but the fan bases, they hate each other more than the teams do. That is why in Jerry Palm's latest bracketology, it has the fan bases clawing at each other and ready for the heated battle.
Louisville basketball fans can't stop dreaming about sweet revenge
Palm has Cardinals going up against the 24-5, VCU Rams out of the A-10. Rams average 78.2 points a game, and give up just the ninth fewest points per game at 62.2.
It will be hard for Cardinals fans to not overlook the possibility of seeking revenge on the Wildcats. No game is given in March, but if Louisville can get by VCU, then look out Providence, these two rivals programs are about to sell out Amica Mutal Pavilion.
The last time Louisville and Kentucky saw each other in the NCAA Tournament was in 2014. Kentucky had Louisville's number that game and won 74-69 and advanced to the Elite Eight, and ended Cardinals hopes and dreams of winning back-to-back National Championships.
The game that was on the biggest stage and demonstrated the pure hatred and the authentic rivalry was back in 2012 when Kentucky was led by Athony Davis and beat Gorgui Dieng and the Cardinals 69-61 and secured a spot in the National Championship.
Kentucky holds the all-time NCAA Tournament record 4-2, as Cardinals won their last victory over Kentucky in the Big Dance back in an absolute thriller overtime victory to secure a spot in the Final Four. Cardinals won 80-68 as the Cardinals scored the first 14 points in overtime and secured the double digit victory, that would go on and spark the in-state rivalry.
The first meeting between these two programs was back in 1913, where Kentucky won 34-10, and then after Louisville Elite Eight victory in 1983, the two schools have played each other every season since, where Kentucky leads the series all-time 40-17.
So, the history is set. The rivalry is laid out and now the potential for either Louisville to seek revenge and to end Kentucky dominance, or the Wildcats to keep on rolling. Jerry Palm predicts these two programs to meet in the round of 32 in Providence, R.I.,if the two can get by their first-round opponents.
So, lets make it happen March, get these two rivals playing each other back in March, and Cardinals nation, it is time to end this drought, and misery, and beat the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament.
Selection Sunday is March 16, after all conference tournaments conclude.