No time like the present to get the gears in motion for what's going to be an epic matchup.

 

 

Many stat lines for this game.

 

- Both teams are riding 8 game win streaks in the NCAA tournament.

 

- Both teams are a combined 20-1 in the NCAA tournament with the "1" loss coming when they played each other.

 

 

Who you all got?

 

 

I'm picking UK by 7

 

UK 71

UL 64

Pitino has NEVER lost a Sweet 16 game. Enough said.

 

Cards 74

 

Cats 66

Pitino has NEVER lost a Sweet 16 game. Enough said.

 

Cards 74

 

Cats 66

 

Other than being a Cardinal fan, that's one of my reasons. With that said, it could change if they play offensively like they did against St. Louis. Hoping something in the air was bad in Orlando, lol.

Not picking against my team. First and foremost. Homer pick, admittedly.

 

This one is simple to me, it's all about the front court. The guard play is even, IMO. Both teams have a back court that could change the game dramatically. UK has a HUGE advantage in the front court. UL has nobody to match WCS' length, and really only one person to bang with Randle, and that's Trez. If the Louisville bigs get in foul trouble, it's over. Louisville can't win without a big game from the post guys.

Only player that could handle Randle and UK bigs when they played in December was Behannan. Now tht he's getting Rocky Mountain high, there is only one guy left that is truely capable of stopping UK's bigs, I like the chances. UK really has no pressure this game so I expect them to come out loose and firing on all cylinders. If UK brings their A game like last game I see a double digit win. If they play like they did against KSU then it will be a toss up. I see it somewhere in the middle.

 

UK-75

UL-69

UK really has no pressure this game

 

There's pressure every game in the tournament...

There's pressure every game in the tournament...

 

I agree but it's a role reversal from 2012. UK has nothing to lose here. They're the underdog for a change and I really like it.

Pitino has NEVER lost a Sweet 16 game. Enough said.

 

Cards 74

 

Cats 66

That is the very first thing I thought of when Louisville won.

 

I want UK to win in the worst way!!!! but it's hard to pick against Pitino in a sweet 16 game.

 

so because of that, I can't make a prediction

 

 

 

 

 

Yep, I have no spine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Go Cats!

Russ Smith and Hancock are going to have to go nuts for U of L to win this game. I just think UK has too much inside for U of L and smith/hancock won't be able to carry the load all by themselves. I also think UK is going to get them in foul trouble all night long. I'm taking UK by 8 on this one. Like normal, it will be a crazy atmosphere with a lot of emotions. Hopefully the young Cats can continue to keep their composure.

Cal has owned Pitino since coming to Lexington. It should be 6-1 after Friday night. Go Cats!!!!

I'm not sure who will win, but if both teams play like they did the 1st two rounds of the tournament, Kentucky takes it going away.

 

If I recall correctly, in the 1st meeting Kentucky's length really caused a lot of issues for the Cards. If Harrell gets in foul trouble, it could spell disaster for Louisville. Conversely, if Hancock and Russ have one of their games where they're on from deep, Kentucky could be in a world of hurt.

 

I really like this matchup for Kentucky, as they seem to excel at the Cards weaknesses, but who knows.

How do you pick against the Cats right now after yesterday's showing unless you are a homer. Admit it folks, UK is playing pretty good the past 2 weeks......

 

UK 71

Lou 64

I just hope the Cats keep digging deep and playing with the level on intensity that they have been. Cut down on a few dumb turnovers and keep everything else the same, then they win.

 

It's going to be a fun one.

UK finally looking like they were supposed to all year.

 

Louisville is going to struggle against the length and athleticism UK puts on the floor. Just like in the Memphis games, just like in the first Kentucky game, just like in the UNC game.

 

The size difficulty Louisville faces at guard is only compounded by the lack of size under the basket, something Pitino is attempting to remedy going forward by apparently recruiting seven-footers three at a time.

 

Kentucky wins it with some daylight.

 

Killer draw for the Cardinals.

 

Like I said at the beginning of the year: most talent anywhere and UK should win the whole thing. No excuse for them not to.

I like Ky to win but Louisville's style of pressure defense gives UK fits. It's very similar to Florida and the twins really have to focus on taking care of the ball or Russ will have 10 steals and 10 dunks. That being said I like the way the Cats are playing right now and I think they refuse to lose another one. UK 74-70.