Due to a scheduling conflict, Louisville asked if this upcoming season's UK-UL grudge match could be moved to January. Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhardt's response?
"If it's in January, it doesn't really matter to us."
And thus, for just the third time in the series' history, the state's two flagship programs will meet after the holidays, on January 5, 2008 at Rupp Arena.
Two things about this. First, CBS appeared to want the game moved, and a nice, fat January Saturday will be good for the ratings. Second, it's nice to be talking about next season, and to think about Pitino-Gillispie, none of the trappings of the "Is Tubby Smith as good as the old coach?" garbage.
By January, the Cats should know what their team is all about. Louisville will enter next season highly ranked, well hyped and full to the gills on cupcakes. Should be a good game. And it's nice to have it at Rupp.
Kentucky has won the last three meetings, and six of the last eight.