LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The 2023 edition of the University of Louisville and University of Kentucky basketball rivalry features two teams heading in opposite directions.
There's a chance this could be the last time Kenny Payne coaches the Cardinals (5-6, 0-1 ACC) as reports continue to circulate regarding his job status. Meanwhile the Wildcats (8-2, 0-0 SEC) climbed to No. 9 in this week's AP top 25 after beating former No. 9 North Carolina 87-83 last Saturday.
Thursday's game tips off at 6 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville. You can watch the game on ESPN and stream on the Watch ESPN app. Coach Payne's postgame press conference will be steamed live on WHAS11.com, the WHAS11 YouTube channel and WHAS11+, which is available for free on FireTV, Roku and Apple TV.
RELATED: Louisville basketball says Koron Davis was 'dismissed' from team; Here's everything we know so far
Louisville dropped back-to-back games against DePaul and Arkansas State before picking up a win last Sunday against Pepperdine.
Despite reports, Payne said after the game he did not feel like he was coaching for his job.
"I wouldn't feel like that no matter what," he said. "I go out and I focus on the team and the guys. I didn't come here for me. I came here for them and this community."
There was also drama off the court last week, as guard Koron Davis was dismissed from the team. Louisville initially issued a statement saying he was transferring, but after Davis posted on social media saying that wasn't accurate, UL issued a second statement saying he was dismissed.
Davis transferred to Louisville before the season from a California junior college, but never played in a game. He was not seen with the team for the last several weeks.
Kentucky is led by senior guard Antonio Reeves, who is averaging 17.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. UK is a deep team, with six players averaging at least 10 points a game.
Sophomore guard Skyy Clark leads the Cardinals with 15.4 points per game.
Kentucky has dominated the series in recent years, winning 12 of the last 15 matchups. They lead the all-time series 38-17.
However UofL did win the last time the game was held at the Yum! Center, beating UK 62-59 in 2020.
RELATED VIDEO