LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville’s quest of fulfilling coach Rick Pitino’s hopes for the Cardinals repeating as national champions and becoming a “mini-dynasty” hinge on beating archrival Kentucky.That’s going to be a tough challenge against the Wildcats, who have been a thorn in the Cardinals’ side.Eighth-seeded Kentucky (26-10) enters Friday night’s Midwest Regional showdown against fourth-seeded Louisville (31-5) with a 3-2 edge in the NCAA tournament and a 31-15 series lead. The Wildcats have won five of the last six against Louisville, including at the 2012 Final Four en route to their eighth national championship, and a 73-66 victory last year in Lexington on Dec. 28.Kentucky would love to dash Louisville’s dream of a third straight Final Four appearance, considering the Wildcats are trying to win their own second title in three years.For Louisville to win, the Cardinals need to forget history and focused on what they’ve been doing to win 14 of their last 15.“We’re looking for revenge,” former Louisville great Darrell Griffith said Wednesday. “We didn’t play a good game at Kentucky, and they’ve got a real good team (that’s) playing the way a lot expect them to play now.“We’ve got a great team.
Rivalry set to play out at NCAA Tournament
Sweet 16
![](https://gbtribune.cdn-anvilcms.net/media/images/2018/10/28/images/spt_ap_Louisville_WpA02D2.max-1200x675.jpg)
![spt ap Louisville](https://gbtribune.cdn-anvilcms.net/media/images/2018/10/28/images/spt_ap_Louisville_WpA02D2.max-752x423.jpg)