Basketball greats from Kentucky: the most impressive single-game numbers in the battle with Louisville

Fans of Kentucky and Louisville basketball have been known to split homes, marriages, and friendships in half, with red fans on one side and blue fans on the other. Individual players have made history over the years with amazing performances; we already talked about the best single-game efforts. The players below have scored the most points, grabbed the most rebounds, given out the most assists, and more in a single game against their in-state foes.

Points

Derrick Miller scored 34 points against Louisville in a tough 97-75 loss on December 31, 1988, making it Kentucky’s best game in the series. Miller’s accurate shot is still a memorable moment. The best in Louisville? Tennessee’s Russ Smith scored 30 points in a 69-62 win over Kentucky in 2011.

Comes back

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist had a great game on December 31, 2011, when he grabbed 19 rebounds and helped Kentucky win 69–62. That day, his never-ending energy helped the Wildcats take over the boards. Bob Lochmueller of Louisville played well and grabbed 18 rebounds on March 20, 1951, but Kentucky won that game 79–68.

Helps out

Reed Sheppard had 11 assists in the December 21, 2023 game, which is the most in the battle between the two teams. Cameron Murray of Louisville, on the other hand, threw out 10 passes on December 26, 1998, which helped the Cardinals win that year.

Takes

Kentucky’s best game is Dicky Beal’s six steals on March 22, 1984. Also for Louisville, Terrence Williams had 5 steals on January 4, 2009.

Shots Blocked

Anthony Davis showed why he would be a big star in the NBA on New Year’s Eve 2011, when he blocked 6 shots to help the Wildcats win. But on January 1, 1995, Louisville’s Samaki Walker set the record for most blocks in a grudge game with 11. Remember how great Walker was for the Cards back in the day.

These efforts, which range from famous scoring runs to defensive mastery, show how intense and talented the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry is. Each stat tells a story of a legendary matchup that fuels one of the best rivalries in college basketball.

This Saturday, Mark Pope, Pat Kelsey, and a whole new group for each side will have a chance to go down in history.