Mark Pope and Pat Kelsey have split the two of their head-to-head battles, with each head coach winning the contest held on their home floor. Kentucky won the first round, with Louisville exacting vengeance the following season to set up a pivotal third matchup this fall.
On the recruiting trail, however, the battles haven’t been particularly close. Though the blue and red have shared few targets since Pope and Kelsey were hired, every name as of late seems to opt for the school with less wins, championships, and general esteem. Don’t shoot the messenger.
First, it was De’Shayne Montgomery. Now, five-star center Obinna Ekezie Jr. is the latest to spurn the Big Blue Nation for the team down the road. Per Joe Tipton, the class-leading big man will reclassify to this coming season, and has officially committed to Louisville.
Obinna Ekezie Jr. is a Cardinal
Ekezie Jr. will presumably come off the bench for the Cardinals; although, that’s only if Flory Bidunga doesn’t remain in the NBA Draft. That conclusion appears at least somewhat up in the air, for the time being…