**Mark Pope Spills the Tea on Kentucky’s Early Clash with Louisville: “Blame the Cards!”**
LEXINGTON, KY — The Battle of the Bluegrass is heating up earlier than ever! In a surprising twist, the Kentucky Wildcats are set to face off against the Louisville Cardinals on November 11, 2025—the earliest meeting in the storied rivalry’s history .
During a recent press conference, Kentucky head coach Mark Pope addressed the unexpected scheduling, playfully pointing the finger at Louisville. “Scheduling gets increasingly complicated,” Pope remarked. “I actually don’t know how we got to the date, but I am sure it’s Louisville’s fault,” he quipped, adding with a grin, “I say that with all due respect to Pat (Kelsey)” .
The early-season showdown marks only the third time the fierce rivals have met in November, with previous early encounters occurring in 1983 and 1993 . While fans on both sides have expressed surprise at the timing, Pope remains unfazed, emphasizing his desire for a challenging regular-season schedule.
Adding to the excitement, the Wildcats will kick off their season with an exhibition game against Purdue on October 24th, with the possibility of another exhibition game in the works . This rigorous start reflects Pope’s commitment to preparing his team for high-stakes matchups.
As the Wildcats gear up for this unprecedented early clash with the Cardinals, all eyes will be on how both teams adapt to the new schedule. One thing’s for sure: the rivalry’s intensity isn’t bound by the calendar.
Stay tuned as the countdown to November 11th begins—because in the world of college basketball, it’s never too early for a showdown!
