For Louisville guard Terrence Edwards Jr., Saturday night’s matchup against Kentucky was more than just another game—it was the culmination of a dream. Edwards, a James Madison transfer, openly admitted he chose Louisville for the opportunity to face Kentucky in one of college basketball’s most storied rivalries.
“This big rivalry game, all of us really committed for this game,” Edwards said before the matchup. “Some of us came here just to play against Kentucky… to be a part of some history.”
Despite Louisville falling 93-85 to Kentucky at Rupp Arena, Edwards put on a memorable performance, finishing with 23 points on 8-14 shooting, including 5-7 from three-point range. His effort kept Louisville competitive, even as Kentucky threatened to pull away multiple times.
Reflecting on the experience, Edwards was in awe of the electric atmosphere inside Rupp Arena, calling it the best he’s ever seen. “I thought it was great. I wish I could do it again,” he said. “That’s the greatest atmosphere I’ve ever played in as far as coming into a game.”
Edwards wasn’t alone in his admiration. Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey also marveled at the pageantry of the rivalry. “When I walked out there today, the Louisville-Kentucky rivalry hit me,” Kelsey said. “I looked around, saw the atmosphere… I took a minute to truly appreciate how special it was.”
While Edwards and his teammates couldn’t secure the victory, they left it all on the court, fighting back from multiple double-digit deficits. “You just got to keep going,” Edwards said. “Kentucky is a good team… you just have to keep moving forward and think about what’s next.”
If Edwards had his way, he’d fight for another year of eligibility just to relive the experience. For now, he’s left with memories of a historic rivalry and a game he’ll never forget.
