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NCAAB · Final

Louisville Cardinals Edge Kentucky Wildcats in Thrilling Matchup

Tuesday, November 11, 2025, 8:00 PM ET · KFC Yum! Center

Louisville Cardinals 96, Kentucky Wildcats 88, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Kentucky Wildcats vs Louisville Cardinals?

Louisville Cardinals beat Kentucky Wildcats 96-88 at KFC Yum! Center on November 11, 2025.

The Louisville Cardinals triumphed over the Kentucky Wildcats with a final score of 96-88 in a closely contested game at the KFC Yum! Center. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it brought together two prominent programs in college basketball, both of which have shown strong early-season performances. The Cardinals improved their record to 4-0, while the Wildcats fell to 2-2.

Louisville entered the game with a solid home record of 3-0 and an impressive recent form, boasting a 9-1 record over their last ten games. They had a scoring average of 81.5 points per game while allowing 66.5 points. Their last two games included dominant victories against Jackson State Tigers and South Carolina State Bulldogs, where they scored 106 and 104 points respectively. The Cardinals' last five games showcased a scoring average of 84.6 points, indicating a potent offense.

On the other hand, Kentucky came into the game with a 2-1 record, having won their last two games convincingly against Valparaiso Beacons and Nicholls Colonels, where they scored 107 and 77 points respectively. The Wildcats averaged 85.1 points per game while allowing 77.3 points, suggesting an aggressive offensive approach but also some vulnerabilities on defense. Their recent form of 7-3 in the last ten games highlighted their competitive nature, though they had struggled against tougher opponents earlier in the season.

In terms of home and away performance, Louisville maintained an unblemished home record of 8-0, while Kentucky had a mixed away record of 2-2. This home advantage was crucial in this matchup, as Louisville capitalized on their familiar surroundings to secure the win.

Historically, the fixture had seen Louisville trailing in their head-to-head record against Kentucky, with the Cardinals losing their previous meeting on December 14, 2024, by a score of 85-93. This victory not only avenged that loss but also marked an important moment in their rivalry.

Injury-wise, both teams appeared to be in good health, which allowed them to field their best lineups. This factor likely contributed to the high level of play witnessed throughout the game.

The market had favored Louisville before the game, with their win probability set at 1.0 according to the latest odds from the provider. This indicated strong confidence in their ability to secure a victory at home.

Conditions during the game were optimal for basketball, with a lively crowd at the KFC Yum! Center providing an electric atmosphere that undoubtedly spurred the players on both sides.

As the game unfolded, viewers were treated to a showcase of skill and intensity. Key moments included Mikel Brown Jr.'s crucial free throws and layups that kept Louisville ahead in the final minutes, as well as Denzel Aberdeen's contributions that helped maintain the lead. The scoring plays highlighted the back-and-forth nature of the contest, with both teams exchanging baskets in a thrilling second half.

Ultimately, the Cardinals' ability to execute under pressure and their home-court advantage proved decisive, allowing them to edge out the Wildcats in a high-scoring affair that will be remembered in this storied rivalry.

Leaders

  • PointsMikel Brown Jr.29Louisville Cardinals
  • AssistsMikel Brown Jr.5Louisville Cardinals
  • ReboundsJ'Vonne Hadley8Louisville Cardinals
  • PointsDenzel Aberdeen26Kentucky Wildcats
  • AssistsJaland Lowe5Kentucky Wildcats
  • ReboundsDenzel Aberdeen7Kentucky Wildcats

Recent form

Louisville Cardinals

Last 10: 9-1Streak W281.5 scored · 66.5 allowed per game8-0 at home

  • W106-70vs Jackson State TigersNov 7
  • W104-45vs South Carolina State BulldogsNov 4
  • L62-73at Duke Blue DevilsMar 16
  • W76-73vs Clemson TigersMar 15
  • W75-73vs Stanford CardinalMar 13
  • W68-48vs Stanford CardinalMar 8
  • W85-68vs California Golden BearsMar 6
  • W79-68vs Pittsburgh PanthersMar 1
  • W71-66at Virginia Tech HokiesFeb 26
  • W89-81vs Florida State SeminolesFeb 22

Kentucky Wildcats

Last 10: 7-3Streak W285.1 scored · 77.3 allowed per game2-2 away

  • W107-59vs Valparaiso BeaconsNov 8
  • W77-51vs Nicholls ColonelsNov 5
  • L70-99at Alabama Crimson TideMar 15
  • W85-84vs Oklahoma SoonersMar 14
  • W91-83at Missouri TigersMar 8
  • W95-64vs LSU TigersMar 5
  • L78-94vs Auburn TigersMar 1
  • W83-82at Oklahoma SoonersFeb 27
  • L83-96at Alabama Crimson TideFeb 22
  • W82-61vs Vanderbilt CommodoresFeb 20

Standings

TeamOverallGames behindIn conference
Florida27-8-16-2
Arkansas28-9313-5
Alabama25-10313-5
Vanderbilt27-9511-7
Tennessee25-12511-7
Texas A&M22-12511-7
Georgia22-11610-8
Kentucky22-14610-8
Missouri20-13610-8
Texas21-1579-9
Auburn22-1697-11
Oklahoma21-1697-11
Mississippi State13-19115-13
Ole Miss15-20124-14
South Carolina13-19124-14
LSU15-17133-15
Duke35-3-17-1
Virginia30-6215-3
Miami26-9413-5
North Carolina24-9512-6
Clemson24-11512-6
Louisville24-11611-7
NC State20-14710-8
Florida State18-15710-8
California22-1289-9
Stanford20-1389-9
Virginia Tech19-1398-10
SMU20-1498-10
Wake Forest18-17107-11
Syracuse15-17116-12
Pittsburgh13-20125-13
Notre Dame13-18134-14
Boston College11-20134-14
Georgia Tech11-20152-16

Box score

StatKentucky WildcatsLouisville Cardinals
Field goals32-6831-69
Field goal %4745
Three-pointers12-3413-40
Three-point %3532
Free throws12-1621-31
Free throw %7568
Rebounds4240
Offensive rebounds1313
Defensive rebounds2927
Assists1420
Steals411
Blocks33
Turnovers146
Team turnovers00
Technical fouls00
Technical fouls, total00
Flagrant fouls00
Points off turnovers1019
Fast-break points64
Points in the paint4036
Fouls2119
Largest lead320

How the scoring went

  1. 2nd Half52-62Sananda Fru made Free Throw.
  2. 2nd Half52-63Sananda Fru made Free Throw.
  3. 2nd Half52-66J'Vonne Hadley made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Sananda Fru.
  4. 2nd Half53-66Otega Oweh made Free Throw.
  5. 2nd Half54-66Otega Oweh made Free Throw.
  6. 2nd Half54-69Adrian Wooley made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Aly Khalifa.
  7. 2nd Half55-69Otega Oweh made Free Throw.
  8. 2nd Half55-72Isaac McKneely made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Ryan Conwell.
  9. 2nd Half58-72Denzel Aberdeen made Three Point Jumper.
  10. 2nd Half58-74Kobe Rodgers made Jumper.
  11. 2nd Half58-75Ryan Conwell made Free Throw.
  12. 2nd Half58-76Ryan Conwell made Free Throw.
  13. 2nd Half58-77Mikel Brown Jr. made Free Throw.
  14. 2nd Half58-78Mikel Brown Jr. made Free Throw.
  15. 2nd Half60-78Brandon Garrison made Layup. Assisted by Collin Chandler.
  16. 2nd Half61-78Brandon Garrison made Free Throw.
  17. 2nd Half64-78Kam Williams made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Jaland Lowe.
  18. 2nd Half64-81Ryan Conwell made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Mikel Brown Jr..
  19. 2nd Half67-81Collin Chandler made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Brandon Garrison.
  20. 2nd Half70-81Collin Chandler made Three Point Jumper.
  21. 2nd Half70-83Sananda Fru made Dunk. Assisted by Isaac McKneely.
  22. 2nd Half73-83Jaland Lowe made Three Point Jumper.
  23. 2nd Half75-83Kam Williams made Two Point Tip Shot.
  24. 2nd Half75-85J'Vonne Hadley made Layup. Assisted by Aly Khalifa.
  25. 2nd Half77-85Denzel Aberdeen made Jumper.
  26. 2nd Half77-86Mikel Brown Jr. made Free Throw.
  27. 2nd Half77-87Mikel Brown Jr. made Free Throw.
  28. 2nd Half78-87Denzel Aberdeen made Free Throw.
  29. 2nd Half79-87Denzel Aberdeen made Free Throw.
  30. 2nd Half81-87Malachi Moreno made Dunk. Assisted by Denzel Aberdeen.
  31. 2nd Half81-88Adrian Wooley made Free Throw.
  32. 2nd Half84-88Collin Chandler made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Denzel Aberdeen.
  33. 2nd Half84-90Mikel Brown Jr. made Layup.
  34. 2nd Half84-91Mikel Brown Jr. made Free Throw.
  35. 2nd Half86-91Denzel Aberdeen made Jumper.
  36. 2nd Half86-92Mikel Brown Jr. made Free Throw.
  37. 2nd Half86-93Mikel Brown Jr. made Free Throw.
  38. 2nd Half86-95Ryan Conwell made Jumper.
  39. 2nd Half88-95Denzel Aberdeen made Layup.
  40. 2nd Half88-96Ryan Conwell made Free Throw.

Win probability

Above the line favours Louisville Cardinals, below favours Kentucky Wildcats.

Venue

  • KFC Yum! CenterLouisville, KY
  • Attendance22586
  • OfficialsRon Groover, A.J. Desai, Courtney Green

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Fixture data from the league feeds. The report was written from the recorded facts for this game and nothing else.