Dec. 28
LOUISVILLE -- The score was hard to believe: Louisville 81, Kentucky 63. Freedom Hall was rockin' and rollin' with 20,000 fans strong. Rick Pitino, the mentor, defeated the pupil, Tubby Smith.

What an unbelievable rivalry, ranking up there with North Carolina-Duke and Indiana-Purdue because of the special passion and energy it creates. There was so much enthusiasm in Louisville on Saturday, though in the first 10 minutes of the game, it looked like it was going to be Kentucky's day. The Wildcats dominated out of the gate, cleaning the glass with a 15-1 margin until suddenly Pitino's Cardinals hit several key 3s near the end of the half that changed the complexion of the game.

This is the kind of game that Pitino, the master motivator, will utilize to build his players' confidence.

Bryant Northern, a former walk-on, hit two key trifectas while Taquan Dean added another. Kentucky went to the locker room leading by just three points at halftime, and Uncle Mo -- that crazy thing called momentum -- shifted back to the home team. Pitino had to feel good to see his Cardinals that close considering the way they performed in the first half.

Watching the defense and rebounding of Kentucky in that first half, one would have thought the Wildcats would be in total command.

With the crowd roaring, Louisville took over early in the second half. There was a balanced attack, with Ellis Myles finishing with 14 rebounds while Marvin Stone came through against his former team.

Think about it, Stone completed a trifecta for transfers -- Notre Dame's Danny Miller defeated Maryland (his former school), Virginia's Todd Billet got a W against his former Rutgers squad, and now Stone has beaten Kentucky. His inside presence was a factor, as he scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Cardinals.

Dean and Francisco Garcia are two diaper dandies worth watching for Louisville. They will get better and better with experience under Pitino.

You'd better believe this is a program-builder for the Cardinals. This is the kind of game that Pitino, the master motivator, will utilize to build his kids' confidence, letting them know they can play with the elite in the future. They proved they can play with the best against a solid Kentucky team that was manhandled in the second half. Louisville took the 'Cats out of their rhythm with traps, stopping Kentucky's attack, especially Marquis Estill on the inside.

The Wildcats will have to regroup, and after a rugged non-league schedule -- including Indiana, Michigan State, North Carolina, Gonzaga, Virginia and Arizona State -- Smith's team has a bit of an easier road ahead the next few games, facing Tennessee State, Alcorn State and Ohio University before starting SEC play.

Kentucky has its team back together, as Antwain Barbour returned from a broken hand and saw action Saturday. Smith has his full compliment back with Erik Daniels (suspension) and Cliff Hawkins (academic eligibility) also returning recently. Watch out for these 'Cats as the season goes on. This program has chemistry and talent, and trust me, they will be heard from in the SEC and beyond.

Saturday was a big day for Louisville fans. Pitino's imprint has been felt on the Cardinals. Cincinnati and Marquette in Conference USA will certainly take notice with league play right around the corner.