This Saturday marks one of the biggest days of the year for basketball in the Commonwealth.  While both UK and UofL have struggled early on with key player injuries and finding consistency within their play, the importance of this game cannot be underestimated as each team will try to prove which Kentucky team is the best in the Bluegrass.

For the University of Louisville, news that David Padgett would not miss the entire season and would actually return to action before conference play, seemed to give them the boost of optimism they’ve been lacking .  A setback this past week/files/storyimages/against Cincinnati wasn’t a part of the plan and they are left searching for answers once again.  While they haven’t found a lot of success in recent years in Rupp Arena, the Cardinals come to Lexington with arguably the most talented team under Rick Pitino during his Louisville tenure.

The Kentucky Wildcats are coming off an impressive win against Florida International.  In a season where wins have been hard to come by, even the dismantling of a mid-major team was a much-needed shot of adrenalin in the arm for this team.  The Wildcats should have their entire roster available for this game for just the second time this year.  UK players and coaches are searching for the moment/game that turns this season around for them, and they are hoping it comes this Saturday.

So, what will it take for each team to win?  We’ve put together a list of reason why each team could win the game this year.  For the University of Kentucky, they could make it their 4^th victory in a row against their rivals 70 miles west.  The Cardinals would like nothing more than to make this season even more painful for UK, and give them their 4^th loss (already) this year in Rupp Arena.

Reasons why UL can win:

1.  David Padgett is healthy again.  Regardless of their setback against UC, they are vastly improved with him on the floor as a player and a leader.

2.  Rick Pitino is due a win against the Cats.  He has some Achilles heels since his return to the state, and beating UK again is one of the big ones.

3. UK won this year’s football game.  I don’t buy much into “curses”, but it’s hard not to at least point out historically how this little stat seems to play a large factor in the end.

4.  Coach Gillispie.  If he uses this game as another “my way or the highway” lesson, UofL can easily walk out of Rupp as the winner.

5.  UofL, on paper, is a better team at this point.  Kentucky’s had more growing pains, and the Cardinals should be able to put a more complete game together right now.

Reasons why UK can win:

1. It’s at Rupp Arena. 

2. They have their full roster at almost 100% healthy.  They’ve been searching for consistency, and they’re due to find it soon.

3.  Patrick Patterson.  He may be the most heralded freshman ever to suit up for this storied program.  The weight on his shoulders is enormous, and the scary part for opponents is that he seems to thrive under it.

4.  Coach Gillispie. His tactics have been vehemently dissected up to this point by everyone from Pikeville to Paducah.  He could use this game as a springboard for not only his style of play, but getting all of the Wildcat Faithful back on his bandwagon.

5.  It’s at Rupp Arena.  Yes, this is the #1 reason they can win, but it is also the biggest one.  Even though the 23,000+ people in the stands haven’t given them their usual lift this season, you can be sure the Wildcat fans will show up and show up big for this game.

If David Padgett can stay out on the floor, UofL has their best shot at victory.  If Derek Caracter can stay out of foul trouble, and the Louisville guards can pick apart the Kentucky defensive scheme, Cardinal points should be easy to find.  But, if UK finally clicks, it could spell trouble and this game could mark the point of an incredible turn around.

Regardless of each team’s season to this point, the excitement and passion for this game is as high as any other years’ before.  Both teams are eager to show the state and the country that they are the best in Kentucky, and that should make even the casual college basketball fan stand up and take notice.