Louisville coach Pat Kelsey relishes victory vs great Kentucky program
Louisville basketball coach Pat Kelsey enjoyed competing against Mark Pope, Kentucky at the KFC Yum! Center in a top-15 matchup.
How will Louisville basketball follow up the statement it made Tuesday against archrival Kentucky?
We’ll find out today, when Pat Kelsey’s No. 12 Cardinals (3-0) face Ohio at the KFC Yum! Center.
U of L is still basking in the glow of its first win over the Wildcats since 2020 — a 96-88 victory headlined by the stellar guard play of Mikel Brown Jr. and Ryan Conwell. Kelsey dislocated a finger on his right hand during the ensuing celebration.
Ohio is off to a 1-2 start (ranking 173rd on KenPom.com) in Year 7 under coach Jeff Boals, who welcomed seven newcomers to his roster after going 16-16 in 2024-25. The Bobcats were picked to finish 2025-26 fourth in the Mid-American Conference and feature one preseason first-team all-league selection, senior guard Jackson Paveletzke. He led the team with 19 points in its most recent game, a 90-60 loss Tuesday at Saint Mary’s.
Here’s what you need to know to follow today’s game from home:
U of L and Ohio are scheduled to tip off at noon today inside the Yum! Center.
Betting odds: Louisville is a 31 ½-point favorite (-115) on DraftKings, which set the over/under at 175 ½ points (-110).
Score predictions: KenPom gives the Cards a 99% chance of winning and projects a 97-72 final score in their favor. BartTorvik.com is also forecasting a U of L victory (96%), with a projected final score of 98-72.
The game between the Cards and the Bobcats will air on The CW (WBKI-TV). Rick Allen (play-by-play) and Mike Gminski (analyst) will be on the call. To check your local listings, click here.
You can livestream the game via services such as Fubo, which offers a free trial here.
Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (analyst) will have the call on the Cardinal Sports Network (WLCL 93.9-FM and WGTK 970-AM in Louisville).
You can also listen online via GoCards.com.
Reach Louisville men’s basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
