LEXINGTON — With its annual rivalry game against Louisville postponed, Kentucky basketball is staying local for its Wednesday game.
After a day of scrambling to find a replacement for the Cardinals on the schedule, UK reached a deal with Western Kentucky to play in Rupp Arena on Wednesday. The two schools will use the game to raise money for tornado relief efforts.
The game will tipoff at 6 p.m. and be televised by ESPN.
"We were all disappointed to learn we won’t be able to play Louisville on Wednesday, but I am thrilled we were able to come together quickly and put this game together for everyone in this state,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said in a news release. "I want to thank Western Kentucky for working with us on short notice. Not only will this be a great test for our team, but we will be able to provide aid to the Western Kentucky region and lift the spirits of some special people who really need it."
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Kentucky and Louisville were scheduled to play on Wednesday, but positive COVID-19 tests within the Louisville program led to the postponement of that game. While the two schools will "monitor opportunities in which the teams can reschedule the annual rivalry game," according to a news release, UK also said it was working to add another opponent to the scheduled for Dec. 22 or 23.
Early speculation on the new opponent centered on Bellarmine after Sports Illustrated reported the two schools were close to finalizing a deal for Bellarmine to play in Rupp Arena this week, but Bellarmine coach Scotty Davenport confirmed Monday afternoon that game would not happen. Bellarmine has a full slate of 31 regular season games on its schedule as it has not yet been affected by the rash of COVID-19 cancelations across the country.
At various points throughout Monday, UK was also linked to games against Gonzaga, Texas, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Eastern Kentucky.
Western was not initially viewed as a possible opponent because the Hilltoppers were scheduled to play Austin Peay on Wednesday. WKU and Austin Peay mutually agreed to move that game to the 2022-23 season.
The Louisville postponement marks the second consecutive Kentucky game affected by COVID-19.
The Wildcats were originally scheduled to face Ohio State in Las Vegas over the weekend but played North Carolina instead after Ohio State had to cancel its trip due to COVID-19 issues.
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After blowing out North Carolina, 98-69, Kentucky coach John Calipari called for teams to continue to make their best effort to play games, even if they are short-handed due to COVID-19 quarantines.
“Last year was the most miserable thing I've ever been through," Calipari said. "My whole worry was keeping guys safe. … The basketball wasn't very good. We were 8-8 in our league, but we weren't very good for us. But I wasn't even worried about basketball.
"I don't want to be near that, and if guys are out, let's just keep coaching and playing."
The opportunity to reschedule the Louisville game may depend on further cancellations in the teams' conference schedules. UK has two games per week scheduled through the end of the regular season.
Losing the Louisville game would be a significant blow for Kentucky season ticket holders considering the Cardinals were the only marquee nonconference opponent scheduled to play in Rupp Arena this season.
The Courier Journal recently reported attendance was down 28% from 2019 for the Wildcats' seven-game homestand completed earlier this month. All seven games were played against low-major opponents.
Adding WKU to the schedule does not add the high-major nonconference opponent the home schedule now lacks, but the tornado relief efforts add a feel-good angle to the matchup. The Hilltoppers also look like a legitimate test for Kentucky after beating Louisville in Bowling Green Saturday.
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UK has not played Western Kentucky in the regular season since the Hilltoppers upset Kentucky in Rupp Arena in 2001. The two teams last played in the first round of the 2012 NCAA Tournament.
Fans are encouraged to bring new unwrapped toys in original packaging or $25 VISA or Mastercard gift cards to Rupp Arena before the game for a toy drive to support Western Kentucky families affected by last week's devastating tornadoes. UK will accept donations at all entrances of Rupp Arena during the game.
UK Athletics previously raised more than $4.5 million for tornado relief through a telethon and online donation portal. That money goes to the Red Cross for tornado relief. On Sunday, Calipari, UK athletic director Mitch Barnhart and former stars Darius Miller and Jack "Goose" Givens visited tornado victims in Dawson Springs to deliver shoes to affected families.
Tickets and parking permits for the original Wednesday game vs. Louisville will be valid for the replacement game vs. Western Kentucky.
Ticket holders will receive communication via email if additional changes are made to the schedule throughout the season, according to UK's news release announcing the postponement.
"Given the current unknowns related to postponed games getting rescheduled or canceled games getting replaced — UK Athletics appreciates the continued support, flexibility and understanding of its ticket holders," the release said. "If circumstances change during the season and games are canceled and not rescheduled, UK Athletics will evaluate credit and refund options for the ticket portion of payment at the conclusion of the season. Single-game buyers who purchased tickets through Ticketmaster will receive a separate communication."
Email Jon Hale at [email protected]; Follow him on Twitter at @JonHale_CJ.
