Louisville basketball's biggest game of the 2025-26 season is finally just one day away as the Cardinals are gearing up and getting ready to take on the Kentucky Wildcats tomorrow evening from the KFC Yum! Center. This intense rivalry is one of the most anticipated non-conference games of the 2025-26 season, as both teams have Final Four expectations.
Louisville looks to end a three-game losing streak to the Wildcats and try to turn the page in this rivalry, as the Cards are 2-8 against Kentucky in their last 10 games. Both have started red-hot with two dominant wins over lower Division I schools and will look to secure their first significant win tomorrow evening. This will be a top 12 matchup, and whoever can pull off the win will not only earn bragging rights but will set the tone for the rest of their season, as a win in this game sends a message to the whole nation that they are the real deal.
So, lets breakdown the early odds for this game and make a prediction of who is going to win.
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Louisville vs Kentucky odds
The Cardinals will look to start 3-0 for the first time since the 2020-21 season. Louisville opens up as 3.5-point favorites according to FanDuel, and ESPN Analytics gives the Cards a dominant 72.9 percent chance of winning this game tomorrow night from their home floor.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel, and as of 6am ET on Monday, Nov. 10.
Spread: Louisville -3.5
Moneyline: Louisville -170 Kentucky+140
Over/Under: 169.5
Prediction
This is going to be an intense, gritty and scrappy game. Both teams played an elite team in the preseason, learning a lot about their teams, and with tons of emotions entering this game it might be a bit sloppy at first. Their is going to be eltrifying energy in the KFC Yum! Center that will heavily favor Louisville, and with these fanbases going back and forth since April, it has the whole nation ready to tune in for this game.
Louisville has been led by its stars in Mikel Brown Jr., Ryan Conwell, and Isaac McKneely early on as these three guards are shooting lights out from beyond the arc while playmaking and creating shots for others. Khani Rooths has also been a standout for Louisville, averaging a team-high 18.0 points per game. A significant factor in this game is J'Vonne Hadley's availability, as he missed Louisville's last game due to concussion protocol. As for the Wildcats, Colin Chandler leads them with 14.5 points per game, and freshman Malachi Moreno has had a solid start, averaging 11.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game for the Wildcats.
With a lot of energy and emotion entering this game, expect some turnovers and maybe a slow start for both teams, but once things settle down, Louisville's 3-point shooting has the capability to take over in this game. Louisville being at home gives the Cardinals a huge advantage and should help them end their three-game losing streak. The Cards have been looking forward to this game all offseason, and with Pat Kelsey eyeing a championship run, he wants to set the tone for their season and secure a victory tomorrow night.
Prediction: Louisville 87 Kentucky 80