Fans of the teams in the Bluegrass State come from two camps, blue or red. For those outside the confines of the Commonwealth, that means the University of Kentucky Wildcats and the University of Louisville Cardinals. They are only separated by a mere 90 miles, but the divide in the state is as wide as the Grand Canyon.
The comparisons between the two cannot be more distinct. The state, and their fans, are clearly more in the Wildcat camp, and most say that the only folks who root for Louisville are either lifelong residents of the city, or alumni. Other than that, as true Cat fans say, ‘no one would ever cheer for that 2nd class team’. To say it’s like the Hatfield’s against the McCoy’s is truly an understatement. Basketball in Kentucky is a lifelong passion, and this game is a yearly ritual, and to be quite candid, the only one that truly matters to most who have grown up watching both teams.
Kentucky vs Louisville – More Than Just Blue vs Red
What makes the rivalry more intense over the last few years, has been the coaches more than the players. Rick Pitino, the coach of the Cardinals, used to be the head coach of the Wildcats, and won a national championship with Louisville in 2013. He left UK, went to the NBA, and then decided to go to the hated Louisville team, a clear slap in the face to the Big Blue Nation. To say there was animosity, hatred, Pitino effigy burnings, and voodoo dolls being pierced was just the beginning.
Pitino was a traitor. He could have gone to any school he wanted. Great coach, great recruiter, and bringing a championship banner to Rupp Arena in Lexington, the meca of UK basketball. However, he chose to go to their arch-rivals, the team they love to hate, the squad they play against each year just before conference play begins. It’s the second most important event in the state, next to the Derby in May.
Enter the white knight on his steed – John Calipari. Coach Cal, had taken his UMass and Memphis team from worst to the pinnacle of NCAA glory, coming close to bringing the crown to the Tigers just before coming the UK. The fans loved him, they camped out before the annual midnight madness Blue-White game, they gave him the key to the City of Lexington, and he delivered, more than the ‘Benedict Arnold’ Pitino could ever do in his tenure.
Cal stayed in line and camped out with the Blue faithful, he bought them pizzas while they waited, he went to every other Kentucky sporting event, he showed up at grand openings, was in every commercial known to man, and adopted Lexington as his second home. In fact, his wife, unlike Pitino’s, who had a disdain for the Commonwealth, said they she loved the Bluegrass state, and was eager to make a home with her family.
Now to the rivalry. No matter how UK does during the SEC regular season conference record, only two things matter – a national championship, and beating the hated Cardinals. There was nothing else that matters in a state that has no professional teams, and basically roots for all things Cincinnati. For those who are not familiar with the Blue vs. Red game at the end of each calendar year, it’s the equivalent of the Civil War all over again. Everything rides on getting a win, especially at home. It’s all or nothing.
Since the commencement of the Pitino-Calipari tenure, Cal has gotten nothing but the best of the great elder coach. In eight meetings between the two, including NCAA tournament games, UK has bested the Cardinals seven times, with only one loss. That came in the year of transition for the Wildcats, who ended up losing a first round NIT matchup against a clearly inferior team in Robert Morris, where Calipari grew up and cut his basketball teeth.
This year’s matchup was no different, and the hype leading up to the big day at Rupp was electric. The Wildcats, after coming oh so close to capping off a 40-0 season last year, came into the contest, by being embarrassed by Ohio State, who was 5-5 and unranked. Louisville was 16th ranked, and boasted an 11-1 record, so it was a classic who owns the state battle. The Wildcats, chock full of promising draft choice freshmen, against a more seasoned, defensive minded Louisville.
After a slow start by both teams, the Cats settled down, much to the delight of the hometown faithful, and took a comfortable lead into the locker room at halftime. Not to be counted out, despite double technical fouls by both coaches, Louisville refused to cave, and finally was able to tie the contest late into the game. A see-saw battle ensued, and both coaches worked their bench like chess masters. In the end, Kentucky was able to prevail, winning the game 75-73, but there was nary a fan sitting in their seat. Chants of ‘Go Big Blue,’ could be heard all the way to the Louisville campus; UK had won the battle, and they took the Commonwealth Championship once again.
As the buzzer sounded, both coaches met at center court, and did their best to embrace each other in an awkward, gratuitous gesture, but all those present know the disdain both men have for each other, and their teams. Here was Pitino, bringing the red into the blue building, looking to take air out of the sails of those who bleed that color all year long, and the younger Calipari, who has come so close to winning multiple championships at UK, where he is a ‘god’ and winning matters more than family.
This is truly a great, storied rivalry, that almost ended years ago, because of egos. Pitino and Calipari, both northerners, have rekindled the fire that exists yearly between the two teams – one red and one blue. Only one of them can be crowned the champion of Kentucky, and for the past several years, that has belonged to the Big Blue Nation. Conference play begins this week, and there are dreams of a long run in March Madness for both teams. This contest between in-state gladiators ends the year on the perfect note for those who look for an extra gift under the tree in the Commonwealth of basketball nirvana.
