Rupp Arena was electric on Saturday as Kentucky took down Louisville 93-85 in the first matchup of the new era of the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry. With both teams under new leadership, it was the Wildcats who triumphed, securing their 14th win in the last 16 games against the Cardinals. The attendance of 21,093 fans was a testament to the intensity of this annual rivalry, and many were treated to a star-studded spectacle both on and off the court.
Among the celebrities present were Kentucky signee Malachi Moreno, who is set to join the Wildcats next season. Sitting courtside, the Georgetown native was introduced to the crowd before halftime, and he couldn’t resist flashing the iconic “Ls down” gesture, igniting the Rupp Arena crowd.
Olympic medalists also added to the event’s star power. UK’s former track star, Masai Russell, who won gold in the 100-meter hurdles in Paris, joined fellow Olympic fencers Lee Kiefer and Gerek Meinhardt on the court. Kiefer, a Lexington native, won two gold medals in fencing at the Paris Olympics.
The Wildcats were also joined by former UK great Antoine Walker. The former national champion, who played alongside Mark Pope in the mid-90s, was honored as the honorary “Y” for the Louisville game. Walker, who helped Kentucky win its sixth national championship, enjoyed the win from the stands, reminiscing about his own success against the Cards.
The celebration continued after the game, with fans and stars alike reveling in Kentucky’s victory. Mark Pope, in his first year as Kentucky’s head coach, made a solid impression with the win, and the Big Blue Nation now has even more reasons to celebrate.
Malachi Moreno
Masai Russell, Lee Kiefer and Gerek Meinhardt
Antoine Walker
