What we learned in UK's 58-50 win over U of L

Here's what we learned in the Kentucky basketball team's 58-50 win over Louisville at the Yum! Center on Saturday.

Both of these defenses are elite: U of L made just 6 of 28 shots in the opening half, and yet the Cardinals trailed by just four. That's because their defensive was almost equally as disruptive. It's almost mesmerizing watching these two defenses attack when they're at their bests. The battles between Chris Jones and Tyler Ulis were particularly intriguing. They might be the two best on-ball defenders in the nation. Having said all that, UK's defense has shown through the first two months of this year that it might be historically good.

And that led to some ugly shooting numbers for U of L: The Cards were just 15 for 58 from the floor, or 26 percent.

If you can name the team that will beat UK during the regular season, please tell me: This is the end of UK's demanding non-conference schedule, and the Southeastern Conference simply won't pose many challenges, especially with Florida's struggles. Sure, the Wildcats will find themselves in a difficult road game or two, but I just don't see them losing.

INSTANT ANALYSIS: Takeaways from courtside at the KFC Yum! Center

STILL PERFECT: No. 1 Wildcats too much for cold-shooting Cards, 58-50

GAME REWIND: UK holds off U of L

This one stings for the Cardinals: U of L has now lost 7 of its last 8 games against UK, including three over the span of 365 days, give or take.

But there will be other chances for big wins: While UK heads off to the lowly SEC, U of L will soon begin ACC play, where a new set of challenges await. The Cardinals will have to get past this loss--and they will. And once Duke and North Carolina and Virginia games arrive, there will be a new focus.

Tyler Ulis was the best player on the court: Sure, most of these players will probably be higher draft picks than UK's freshman point guard, but none controlled the game like he did. He broke U of L's press with ease, he consistently found open teammates, and he drilled open shots when there was an opportunity.

Shaqquan Aaron is fearless: The freshman from Seattle had played in just one game this season after dealing with eligibility issues. But he clearly wasn't fazed by the moment on Saturday. With 11 minutes left in the first half, soon after checking in for the first time, he took a pass about three feet beyond the right arc and drained a 3-pointer. Aaron is longer than I had realized and it's clear he'll be a real asset to the Cardinals moving forward.

Having this game around the holidays makes it easier for cool things like Jennifer Lawrence appearances: The Oscar-winning actress and Louisville native visited Kosair Children's Hospital earlier this week, and on Saturday she was here at the Yum! Center. She was introduced to the crowd midway through the first half, flashing an L and receiving a loud ovation.

But it wasn't even the loudest ovation of the half: With 10:48 left, after the Aaron 3, Montrezl Harrell swatted a Willie Cauley-Stein shot out of bounds, and the Yum! Center erupted. It was the loudest I've heard this building in my three seasons here.

This is the best game in college basketball: North Carolina and Duke had their days, but the recent excellence of these two programs combined with the intensity of this rivalry makes this game second to none.

And you shouldn't be surprised if we see it again: We knew that Kentucky is elite and that the Wildcats appear destined for the Final Four. But even in defeat, the Cardinals showed that they should be considered a legitimate contender, too. The Cardinals are one of the few teams in UK's league defensively.

Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at 502-582-4372 by email ahimmelsbach@courier-journal.com and on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach