Kentucky’s Brandon Garrison (10) is congratulated by head coach Mark Pope, left, and Andrew Carr, right, after making a play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Louisville in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/James Crisp)

Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats won the first meeting over Pat Kelsey’s Louisville Cardinals, but both college basketball coaches are inspiring hope.

The Kentucky Wildcats were able to take down the Louisville Cardinals in the first matchup of the Mark Pope vs. Pat Kelsey era. Despite nearly leading wire-to-wire, Kentucky had to battle for 40 minutes to pull out the victory,

With just over five minutes to go, Louisville's Reyne Smith and Kentucky's Brandon Garrison fought for a loose in front of the UofL bench. Smith dived and gained possession, and in the battle for the ball, was struck in the face by Garrison.

Things almost got too heated in the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry on Saturday as a dust-up was on the verge of turning into an all-out brawl at Rupp Arena.

Top-seeded Louisville volleyball defeated second-seeded Stanford in an NCAA Tournament Elite Eight match and earned a spot in the Final Four vs Pitt.

No. 1 regional seeds Pittsburgh, Louisville and Nebraska have punched their tickets to the NCAA women’s volleyball Final Four. A fourth spot remains up for grabs on Sunday night between Creighton and Penn State.

It's UK vs Pitt for a spot in the NCAA volleyball tournament Final Four at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville. Follow for UK volleyball score updates.