Louisville basketball is set to take on the No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats this evening from the KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals and Wildcats' blockbuster showdown is expected to be a high-scoring and thrilling game and has been one of the most anticipated games of the season.
The Cardinals and Wildcats are battling some injuries. Kentucky will be without Arizona State transfer Jayden Quaintance, and Louisville has been waiting to hear if starting power forward J'Vonne Hadley will be available after missing the last game against Jackson State due to being in concussion protocol.
As the game is about to tip off in under an hour, Louisville fans get the thrilling news they were waiting for: Hadley has been ruled available, per Jeff Goodman.
BREAKING: Louisville senior forward J'Vonne Hadley is available to play tonight against Kentucky, school spokesperson told @TheFieldOf68.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) November 11, 2025
Hadley missed last week's game against Jackson State because he was in concussion protocol.https://t.co/g0G2YIoEhO
Related: 5 bold predictions for Louisville basketball vs No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats
Louisville basketball fans get thrilling update on J'Vonne Hadley
Hadley is currently being seen in warm-ups and smiling as the Cardinals prepare for their massive showdown with the Wildcats. Pat Kelsey stated after the last win over Jackson State that they hoped he would play, and on Monday morning, he stated they were "hopeful." Well, Goodman was the first to report and deliver the thrilling news that Cards fans were anxiously awaiting, as Hadley is now ruled available and will play in this highly anticipated showdown.
Hadley's availability was crucial for the Cardinals, as the frontcourt is going to be a key factor in this game. Louisville's backcourt is going to score and is going to hold its ground, but the frontcourt has to step up and play physical, and now that Louisville has got its leading rebounder from a season ago and its leading rebounder from the first game of the season, they just got a massive boost for this game.
Louisville and the Wildcats are set to tip off at 8 p.m. local time from KFC Yum! Center. Louisville looks to snap a three-game losing streak to the Wildcats, and with Hadley and this backcourt, the fans truly believe this is the Cardinals' year.
For all the latest news and updates on the Louisville basketball 2025-26 season and recruiting, stay tuned.