Sahvir Wheeler shares why Louisville game was so important

Kentucky Basketball just got a much needed win over rival Louisville on Saturday. A huge boost for a team that had just about reached rock bottom after an uncompetitive loss against Missouri earlier in the week. According to UK point guard Sahvir Wheeler, roller coaster weeks like the one the team just experienced is typical life at Kentucky. For the rest of the season, every time out, you’re facing quality opponents.

So, that makes it tough because the players need to bring the intensity to the floor every time out. There are no more North Florida’s or Bellarmine’s on the schedule. It’s teams like Missouri from here on out. However, the tough schedule also makes it easier to bounce back, since every game left is an opportunity to beat a respectable opponent.

After losing to Missouri last week, Wheeler said the team was able to get re-energized since the very next game was the biggest rivalry of the year.

“The thing about playing here [at Kentucky], when you take a loss, the next game is still a quality, worthy opponent,” Wheeler said Monday. “We knew this game was going to be important just because it’s Louisville. Because that is a big-time rivalry in college basketball, so we knew we wanted to win that game and also end the year off on a good note, on a winning note, and we took care of business.”

Kentucky, as most Louisville opponents, took care of business against the Cards in order to get back in the win column.

Sahvir Wheeler on LSU

On Saturday, Kentucky point guard Sahvir Wheeler also gave some initial thoughts on LSU.

“We know they’re gonna play hard,” Sahvir Wheeler said. “That’s every LSU team, they’re gonna play really hard. They’re gonna get after it. Already got a couple of guys who are playing really well.”

LSU is 12-1 coming into this game during the 2022-23 season. On top of that, the Tigers are already 1-0 in conference play. Kentucky has had a frustrating start, given the program’s standards at 9-4 with an 0-1 conference record. At the same time, the Tigers weren’t really tested in non-conference play.

“They’re going to come here. It’s going to be a good game, but we gotta do whatever it takes to win.”

As he said earlier, every time out is another test. LSU poses a unique challenge early in the New Year for the ‘Cats.