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Sunday, January 14
Updated: February 13, 12:07 AM ET
 
Down the stretch they come ...

By Ron Buck
ESPN.com

While Arizona may be the No. 1 team in the land, the folks in the Commonwealth of Kentucky are focused on which local team will end up on top -- No. 2 Louisville or No. 3 Kentucky.

Only Louisville has lost since their Dec. 28 clash, won by the Cardinals 81-63.

Louisville's victory over Kentucky was part of the nation's longest winning streak of 17 games, while the Wildcats have reeled off 13 straight wins since losing in Freedom Hall.

Here is a look at the final eight games for each team. Oh, by the way, the pair will be in action on the same night four times, while playing the remaining four games on back-to-back nights. Should make for an interesting final month of the season within the Bluegrass State.

Bluegrass' Two-Horse Race To NCAAs
Louisville
18-2, 8-1 C-USA Ranking: No. 2
Kentucky
19-3, 9-0 SEC
Ranking: No. 3
Feb. 12: St. Louis 59, Louisville 58
Louisville's 17-game conference winning streak ended in Missouri.
Feb. 11: Kentucky 87, Georgia 67
Winning by 17 ppg during longest winning streak in Tubby's six seasons.
Feb. 15: at Marquette (ABC, 3:30 ET)
First of two huge C-USA clashes, not to mention Wade vs. Gaines I.
Feb. 15: vs LSU
Tigers 6-7 since beating No. 1 Arizona and winless on SEC road.
Feb. 19 vs. Memphis (ESPN, 7 ET)
John Calipari comes to town with a dangerous group of Tigers
Feb. 19: at Arkansas
Hogs haven't done much in SEC, but UK has lost last two in "Bud".
Feb. 22: at Cincinnati
'Ville could deliver knockout punch to defending champs on Bearcats' court.
Feb. 23: vs. Mississippi State
West's best comes calling, but East's current beast should be up for challenge.
Feb. 27: vs. Marquette (ESPN2, 8 ET)
Think Freedom Hall will be a little geeked up for The Rematch?
Feb. 26: Tennessee
Vols will have plenty to play for, but can they Slay the 'Cats in Rupp?
March 1: vs. East Carolina
Should be well-deserved breather after brutal four-game stretch above.
March 2: at Georgia
First of two tough ones on the road, sandwiched around ...
March 5: at DePaul
Great defensive matchup in Chicago could be regular-season clincher for Cards.
March 5: vs. Vanderbilt
Remember, it was the 46-16 second half in Nashville that started UK on its roll.
March 8: vs. Charlotte (ESPN, 7 ET)
Time to get ready for C-USA tournament against traditional tough out in March.
March 8: at Florida
Not much needs to be said about SEC regular-season finale, does it?




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