Basketball in the Commonwealth

Here's how Kentucky's seven Division I teams are doing so far  (rankings from Ken Pomeroy's wonderful site):

1.  Louisville:  11-1 (To be fair, UK would also be 11-1 if they'd had U of L's schedule)
13.  Kentucky:  9-3 (See our report on the Belmont game.)
151.  E. Kentucky:  8-4 (I'm pretty sure Belmont is winning the OVC again.)
162.  W. Kentucky:  7-4 (The Hilltoppers just beat Murray State 71-64.)
171.  Morehead St:  8-5 (Sean Woods has the Eagles playing old-school Pitino ball.)
240.  Murray St:  5-6 (The Racers have won 3 of their last 4).
304.  No. Kentucky:  4-7 (The Norse have won three straight.)

Of course, the big story in the Commonwealth this week is Saturday's showdown between UK and U of L.  It is a huge game for both teams, as always, but even more so for the Wildcats, who need to do something to impress the NCAA bracketeers before they start Conference play.  Normally I would give the Cats very little chance against Pitino's Cardinals, given Louisville's experience and UK's shoddy play in their three big games so far this year.  But odd things happen at Rupp Arena, and the Cats are often at their most dangerous when they circle the wagons at home.