UK vs. U of L basketball game set for early tipoff

Freshman forwards Bam Adebayo battles in the post during the game against the Louisville Cardinals on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 in Louisville, Ky. Louisville won the game 73-70.

Sports Staff

As announced by Louisville Athletics, the men’s basketball game between Kentucky and Louisville scheduled for Dec. 29 will tip off at 1 p.m.

A UK spokesperson later confirmed the 1 p.m. tipoff.

The game will be broadcasted on CBS and take place inside Rupp Arena. Louisville owns bragging rights going into this year’s contest after defeating the Cats 73-70 in Louisville last year.

The 1 p.m. tipoff time might seem strange to some fans, but according to recent history, the early tipoff isn’t anything new. Five of the last six games between the two rivals have tipped off no later than 4 p.m.

All three of the most recent games between Louisville and UK inside Rupp Arena have tipped off before 4 p.m., with the most recent game in 2015 tipping off at noon. Despite being an early tipoff and the game taking place the day after Christmas in 2015, over 24,000 fans showed up to Rupp Arena to watch the always exciting game.

Even with the early tipoff, expect many fans to pack Rupp Arena as the Cats will aim to keep their four game winning streak at Rupp alive.