Nation of Blue

Basketball

Matt Norlander of CBS Sports says Louisville’s start ensures sweet holiday gift: Chance to top Kentucky

 Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Matt Norlander of CBSSports.com thinks a couple of undefeated teams battle when the Cats and Cards square off on December 27.

Kentucky is 10-0 and Louisville is currently 8-0.

Here is an excerpt:

That’s why we want that Kentucky-Louisville be a matchup of unbeatens. If anything, the pressure is now on the ultra-praised Wildcats to oblige. It’s likely, for sure, but not guaranteed they’ll also be flawless on Dec. 27. First, they’ll need to get past North Carolina at home this Saturday (noon on CBS, streaming live on CBSSports.com) and then beat UCLA on Dec. 20 at the CBS Sports Classic, in Chicago. Clear those hurdles and the teams will be a combined 23-0.

And these are currently the top two statistical defense in the country, allowing 82.6 (UK) and 83.7 (‘Ville) points per 100 possessions. We already know Kentucky’s on pace for historical D in the modern era. Now you see Louisville is right there with them.

That … I mean, come on. How terrific would that be? For the teams, the fans, the sport, even the general sports world. Kentucky-Louisville has rewarded us so often over the past decade, with both teams consistently being relevant, ranked and winning national titles. This could be an all-timer. Outside of the 2012 and 2014 NCAA Tournament meetings, you might argue Dec. 27 would offer up the biggest game in the history of the rivalry.

Because it would be the first time in modern series history (since 1994) both teams would meet with zero prior losses. It doesn’t get more impressive than that.

Maybe Kentucky’s undefeated quest will ultimately ride on that game. Maybe Louisville’s charge to be best in the ACC is jump-started by it. Since Louisville gets the home floor, we know there will be real doubt about Kentucky winning that game. We’ll have maybe … three of those all season for Kentucky? Big opportunity and appointment television. (Note that Louisville will be even stronger then, having coveted wing Shaqquan Aaron in uniform for that game. They’ll have nearly the depth to match Kentucky.)

And Louisville will go strength-for-strength, definitely looking to blitz Kentucky and run, run, run.

Read Louisville’s start ensures sweet holiday gift: Chance to top Kentucky by clicking here.

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