Terrence Edwards Jr. wants another year of eligibility just to play Kentucky again: "That’s the greatest atmosphere I’ve ever played in."

Why are you making me like you, Terrence Edwards Jr.? The Louisville guard went into the rivalry matchup saying he transferred there specifically to play Kentucky in his final year of eligibility. He wanted to be a part of history as fans begged him to win the one at Rupp Arena, willing to sacrifice every other game on the schedule if it meant the Cards got that one.

It didn’t work out that way, obviously — as if that was ever in doubt — but you have to respect the approach.

“This big rivalry game, all of us really committed for this game. Some of us came here just to play against Kentucky, you know what I’m saying?” Edwards said ahead of the matchup. “That was a big part of it, to live up in that rivalry and try to be a part of some history.”

The James Madison transfer got his opportunity, and wouldn’t you know it, he played pretty darn well. Edwards finished second on the team with 23 points on 8-14 shooting and 5-7 from three in 30 minutes, part of the reason Louisville hung around as long as it did in Kentucky’s eight-point win. As the Cats looked to run up the score, the 6-6 guard did his part to keep it competitive.

A year removed from hooping in the Sun Belt Conference, Edwards soaked in the opportunity to hoop in one of the most historic venues in all of sports. And if he had the chance, he’d go back and do it again and again and again.

“I thought it was great. I wish I could do it again,” he said following the game. “That’s the greatest atmosphere I’ve ever played in as far as coming into a game.”

His quote about committing to Louisville for the opportunity to play Kentucky saw plenty of traction leading up to the matchup, but to his credit, he doubled down after the game.

It was a special night for the guard out of Atlanta and he has no shame in admitting that.

“I was just extra excited and everybody was too,” Edwards said. “I’m wearing this Louisville across our chest, we don’t take it for granted. We knew this game was huge, we came in, tried to answer a couple runs, came up short, but it’s like no other. Guys in the hotel when you come out, you see the L’s down and stuff like that, that really makes you want to win the game but it was a great atmosphere.”

Louisville’s Terrence Edwards talks about how fun this rivalry is and the great atmosphere at Rupp today.

Says he’s upset he won’t get to play it in again. pic.twitter.com/X5YQKCkhc8

— Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR) December 15, 2024

Edwards didn’t want the Cards to roll over and die when adversity hit — and there was plenty of it. Kentucky pushed it to 12 just eight minutes into the game, but that was the largest lead all day, despite the Cats going up by double digits a whopping 13 times. Every time Mark Pope’s group had a chance to go for the kill, Pat Kelsey’s responded.

“You just got to keep going. It’s a high-level game,” Edwards said. “Kentucky is a good team, so we already know they were going to come in and make shots. Them making seven in a row, we went to the huddle and said we got to keep going and fighting, so you can’t think about teams that are really good and hit shots. You just have to keep moving forward and think about what’s next.”

His head coach appreciated the effort of his guys while soaking in the moment a little bit himself.

“I’m going to be honest with you, when I walked out of there today, the pageantry of the Louisville and Kentucky rivalry hit me,” Kelsey said. “I looked around, and I saw the atmosphere, and this is before the jump ball went up. I did take a minute to truly appreciate how special it was.

“But like I said, whatever it is, 365 days till the next time we play again, and I’m going to be reminded about four million times when that game is coming up, and we’ll be looking forward to it.”

If Edwards had it his way, he’d fight for another year of eligibility to be able to run it back again next year.