Yet despite programs dating back more than a century, UK and WKU have only met seven times.

That number turns to eight tonight, as Kentucky welcomes its fellow Bluegrass State school to Rupp Arena.

The Wildcats own a 5-2 lead in the series, winning the most recent matchup, 95-60, in Lexington on Dec. 22, 2021. But Western Kentucky bested UK in the first meeting, toppling Adolph Rupp‘s club, 107-83, in an NCAA Tournament Mideast Regional semifinal in Athens, Georgia, in 1971. The Hilltoppers went on to clinch their first (and only) Final Four berth that year. (That Final Four run later was vacated, however.)

The pair squared off again in March Madness 15 years later, with Kentucky winning, 71-64, in a second-round tilt. They didn’t face each other in the regular season until 1990, when then UK-coach Rick Pitino agreed to play his former assistant Ralph Willard, then WKU’s coach. The Wildcats notched an 84-70 victory at Freedom Hall.