What If KY Sports Betting Was Around For 5 Best UK vs. UofL Games?

Written By Eli Hershkovich on August 30, 2023

As of Monday, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved KY sports betting pre-registration, which includes pre-live Kentucky sportsbook promos. This date comes exactly one month ahead of the online launch. Brick-and-mortar sportsbooks are set to open their doors Sept. 7. Basketball fanatics in the Bluegrass State have missed out on their fair share of thrilling betting moments from the UK vs. UofL rivalry. Below are the five most notable games that would have created incredible sweats for Kentucky sports bettors.

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ky sports betting: rivalry rewind

Trimming this list to a handful of games is an arduous task. Unfortunately, Jodie Meeks’ seven points in 17.1 seconds, followed by Edgar Sosa’s three-pointer in their 2009 classic, didn’t make the cut. Tyrese Maxey’s 27-point heroics, gifting the Wildcats an upset win a decade later, fell short of the mark as well. No matter the college basketball odds for these matchups, Kentucky vs. Louisville has delivered more memorable highlights.

Related: Undervalued College Basketball Contenders With Odds, Implied Probability

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5. 2012 Final Four: Kentucky 69, Louisville 61

Fittingly, Rick Pitino’s squad gave Kentucky’s top-ranked “Undeniables” their toughest test in the NCAA tournament. Peyton Siva initially helped the fourth-seeded Cards overcome a 13-point second-half deficit. Although Wooden Award winner Anthony Davis (18 points, 14 boards, five blocks) and the Wildcats clawed back into the lead for good, Louisville covered as 8.5-point underdogs.

Entering the 2011-12 campaign, Davis & Co. were priced as the national title favorite at +550. Those odds were nearly sliced in half (+250) before the Big Dance officially tipped off. Just like that historically great core, this year’s Kentucky basketball team features the top-ranked recruiting class across D-1.

4. 2004: Kentucky 60, Louisville 58

The live betting opportunities would have been endless in this rendition of one of the most passionate rivalries in college basketball. No. 9 Kentucky was led by perimeter marksman Patrick Sparks to an improbable comeback, shaving off a 16-point halftime deficit. The Western Kentucky transfer cashed in three free throws with less than a tick remaining, stealing a road victory from 13th-ranked Louisville.

3. 1987: Kentucky 76, Louisville 75

Eddie Sutton’s Wildcats were handed a miracle down the stretch to eek past the unranked Cards at Rupp Arena — albeit entering the game as the top-ranked program in the country. While Cedric “Swoop” Jenkins tallied just two points in the contest, they came at the final buzzer via a third-chance tip-in.

2. 2014 Sweet 16: Kentucky 74, Louisville 69

Alex Poythress (22) blocks the shot of Montrezl Harrell (24) during the first half of the Sweet 16 on Friday, March 28, 2014 in Indianapolis. (AP)

Sadly, the pain doesn’t end there for Louisville fans and bettors alike. Rick Pitino’s defending champs, which closed as 4.5-point favorites, blew a seven-point cushion with 4:33 left. In the final minute, Aaron Harrison drilled one of his three game-winning triples in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Now-Knicks forward Julius Randle contributed a double-double. The Wildcats cashed roughly +170 moneyline odds as a result.

After entering the field with 50-1 odds to cut down the nets, eighth-seeded Kentucky was actually a slight favorite versus seventh-seeded UConn in the national title game. Nevertheless, Shabazz Napier and the Huskies claimed their second crown in a four-year span.

1. 1983 Elite Eight: Louisville 80, Kentucky 68

Justice is finally served, Cards boosters! In the first meeting since 1959, one-seeded Louisville took on third-seeded Kentucky in the so-called Dream Game. Despite Lancaster Gordon’s jumper putting Louisville up a deuce with eight seconds to go, Jim Master knotted the score with a buzzer-beater at the end of regulation.

The Cardinals’ quick hands and foot-speed collectively iced the game in overtime, accruing five steals en route to a 14-0 run. Louisville subsequently fell to Houston’s Phi Slamma Jamma team in the Final Four.

These Bluegrass State squads will renew their rivalry at the KFC Yum! Center on Thursday, Dec. 21. Unlike the Wildcats, there’s little to no optimism in Kenny Payne’s second season at Louisville. Keep an eye out for KY sports betting odds for the game.

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Ahead of the Kentucky sports betting launch, TheLines has you covered with the best sportsbook promo codes for pre-registration in the Bluegrass State. Just click on any of the following bonus codes to get started.