LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Transition remains for Mark Pope with No. 5 Kentucky and Pat Kelsey with Louisville, growing pains and all.
But judging from the intensity Saturday for the latest Bluegrass showdown, the first-year coaches have already succeeded in re-igniting excitement into their programs along with the rivalry that had recently become rather stagnant.
I do think the rivalry is a little bit more important this year than in years past, because Louisville has had a lot of down years recently,” Kentucky senior and Louisville native Daniel Peterson said as he stood in one of several lines for Rupp Arena’s popular soft serve ice cream cones.
“This year, I feel like it matters more.”
Kentucky alum Lisa Finnell, another Louisville native, added, “With new coaches this year, I think it’s going to bring it back a little bit.”
It certainly got off to a good start.
