Nation is learning why UK vs. U of L rivalry is so strong

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- So how do you explain to the rest of the country just how big the rivalry between the Cats and the Cards really is?

There are a lot of fierce rivalries in college basketball. But there's something that sets Cats and Cards fans apart from the rest.

There's a lot of trash talking on Facebook and one image is being shared over and over. It calls the U of L UK Final Four match up the biggest fight in history, as the Bourbon State takes on Bourbon Street.

Sports writer Pat Forde says this week, people across the country are finding out why Cats and Cards fans bleed "blue" or "red."

"I think there is a fair amount of national curiosity about it," Forde said. "In one level, it's an intramural mural game, but on one hand the stature of the programs, the stature of the coaches -- people know what kind of rivalry this is. It's kind of like Auburn-Alabama in football."

Forde goes on to say: "If you understand the level of interest in basketball and the allegiance to college teams because there are no pro teams, I think people can begin to understand what this is like."

Both teams have die-hard fans. As a former UK Coach, U of L Coach Rick Pitino says he's seen the fan base firsthand from both sides.

"We're culturally different," Pitino said. "We're 23 percent minority, we're culturally a lot different, more of an urban school. They have a different environment so to speak. We're so limited to our city. They have as many fans in our city."

Pitino jokes that the rivalry ends up with a lot of mixed marriages. "You have a Louisville woman with a Kentucky man and it always ends bad," Pitino said.

While fans are making plans to watch the game on TV or in New Orleans -- now referred to by some as "Lou Orleans" and "Blue Orleans" -- you can feel the excitement building.

"This is the capital of college basketball," Ford said.

Tickets to the game are sold out. So if you want to go, it's going to be expensive. We're seeing people trying to sell tickets for $1,800 apiece.