Cats Vs. Cards: An NCAA History Lesson

Yes, it's happened several times before.  But it has NEVER happened like this.  And, next Saturday, this state is going to shut down because it's happening on the biggest stage imaginable.  Yep!  The Kentucky Wildcats and the Louivsille Cardinals are going to meet in the NCAA Final Four in New Orleans.  Both teams have storied histories competing in the NCAA Tournament and have actually met head-to-head in it on four different occasions.  So, whose side is history on?  Take a look . . .

The UK Wildcats have made an unbelievable 52 appearances in the NCAA Tournament.  And, their trip to New Orleans Saturday marks the 15th time the Cats have battled all the way to the Final Four.  And, of course, no KY fan can forget those 7 national titles, the last of which came back in 1998.

As for the Louisville Cardinals, they're no slouches either.  The Cards have made 38 appearances in the NCAA Tournament and have battled to the Final Four 9 times (which ties them for 7th overall).  And the Cards have tasted victory as well.  In fact, they've lifted the National Championship trophy twice . . . in 1980 and then again in 1986.

And now, for the Wildcats to have a shot at an 8th title and the Cards to take a crack at a 3rd, these teams have to battle past each other.  And, that's something the programs know a lot about.  Over the course of NCAA Tournament history, the Cats and Cards have met 4 times and, believe it or not, have split those decisions right smack down the middle.  

Here's a brief history . . .

UK and Uof L first met in the NCAA Tournament back in 1951.  The Cats won that Sweet 16 matchup 79 to 68 and went on to win the National Title over Kansas State.

Eight years later, in 1959, the programs met up again in the Sweet 16.  This time, the tables were turned.  The Louisville Cardinals won 76 to 61 and advanced all the way to the Final Four, where they lost to West Virginia 94 to 79.

It took 24 years for the Cats and Cards to run into each other again in the tournament.  And, this time, it was even deeper in the draw.  It was 1983 that UK and U of L met up in the Elite Eight.  There, the Cards won 80 to 68 to advance to the Final Four, where they eventually fell to Houston 94 to 81.

The very next year, the Wildcats got a chance to even the score with the Cards and send their NCAA matchup record to to 2-and-2.  And, they did.  The squads met up in the Sweet 16, where the Cats prevailed 72 to 67.  They rode that victory to the Final Four, where they were upended by Georgetown 53 to 40.

So, here we sit.  The Cats 2 . . . the Cardinals 2 in their NCAA Tournament head-to-head record.  And, Saturday, in New Orleans, one of those teams in going to gain a 3-2 advantage.  There's excitement in the air and this matchup is truly going to shut down the Commonwealth.  There's a reason Dick Vitale calls this the "3rd best rivalry in college sports!"  And, we're about to write another chapter.

These teams have played each other 43 times and the Cats lead the series 29 to 14.  As a matter of fact, the KY Wildcats have won the last three games they have played, including the matchup last December . . . when the then #3 Cats slipped by the then #4 Cardinals by seven, 69 to 62.

I personally cannot wait for Saturday!  It's going to be AWESOME!  And, rest assured, one team from Kentucky is going to the National Championship game!  The fact that two of them have reached the Final Four this year proves that we continue to write basketball history right here in the Commonwealth and we could be adding yet another title to the state's amazing resume.