Kentucky Wildcats and Louisville Cardinals Set for 2025 Battle of the Bluegrass

The highly anticipated matchup between the ninth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats and the No. 12 Louisville Cardinals is set for November 11th, 2025, in the annual Battle of the Bluegrass. According to CBS Sports, both teams are entering the game with strong starts to their seasons, with Kentucky boasting a 2-0 record after a commanding 107-59 victory over Valparaiso, while Louisville also holds a perfect 2-0 record following a 106-70 win against Jackson State.

The Wildcats, who finished tied for sixth in the SEC last season with a ten and eight conference record, had an overall record of 24 wins and 12 losses. Meanwhile, the Cardinals tied for second in the ACC last year, achieving an impressive eighteen and two conference record and finishing their season with 27 wins and eight losses.

The game will take place at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern Time. As the game approaches, the betting lines have shifted, with Louisville now favored by 6.5 points after opening at 4.5.

The over/under for total points scored is set at 173.5, indicating expectations for a high-scoring affair. SportsLine's projection model has simulated the game 10,000 times, revealing insights into player performances and scoring.

The model suggests that the total points scored might actually fall short of the over/under, projecting only 162 points combined. This prediction leans heavily on recent performances, as the Wildcats have gone under the total in five of their last six games, while the Cardinals have done so in six of their past ten.

In terms of individual performances, the model identifies Otega Oweh from Kentucky as the leading scorer with an average of 13.1 points, while Adrian Wooley from Louisville is expected to lead his team with 17 points.

As the rivalry intensifies, both teams are looking to establish early-season dominance, making this matchup critical for their aspirations in the current college basketball season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the two blueblood programs clash in what promises to be a thrilling encounter.