Jeff Brohm is lobbying hard for a home-and-home series between Western Kentucky University and  University of Louisville. Bobby Petrino seems to be receptive.

Brohm,, the former University of Louisville quarterback now football coach at WKU, wants to bring his team to Louisville where his family has prospered in the sport over two decades. There would be a return game in Bowling Green and, possibly, a third game at a neutral site in Nashville.wku_full_2

Really interesting that a school in a small town in southern Kentucky is attempting to compete at the highest level in football. Says something about the leadership at the school and the community.

Petrino, in his second season at UofL, wants to reward the Bowling Green school for giving him a second chance following the problems that led to his dismissal at the University of Arkansas.

A continuing series would elevate WKU football in the state, bringing the Hilltoppers more exposure than games against opponents like Vanderbilt, Indiana and Rice this upcoming season. Unlike some other state schools, WKU would bring plenty of fans to Louisville, as they during the days at the old Fairgrounds Stadium.

The games would be competitive as long as Jeff Brohm is at the helm, and would provide some easy road trips for UofL fans whether they be at Bowling Green or Nashville. Certainly more attractive than out-of-conference games against Samford or Florida International.

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Rick Pitino would probably be having lots of second thoughts about renewing the basketball series, especially after the Donnybrook at Bowling Green last season. WKU Coach Ray Harper had his troops playing angry, employing a bruiser style, deliberately antagonizing UofL players, causing Montrezl Harrell to be ejected.

There really was no need for the hostility.

The basketball series can wait for a few years, with the only incentive for UofL being to break the 139-139 all-time series between the two programs.

Update: Apparently WKU is already penciled in on the 2015-16 schedule, according to Jeff Greer. Go figure.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

27 thoughts on “Yes to football series with Western Kentucky, but basketball could have waited”
  1. This is the stuff that hot heated rivalry is made of! Let the WAR AND GAMES BEGIN.

  2. You mean the invisible one that he allegedly received while trying to kick Brandon Price (smallest player on the court) in the head.

  3. Seriously? You people are delusional.
    Just because UL did not expect WKU to match the Card’s typical aggression is no excuse for Harrell. As Petino himself said, the physicality was nowhere near the level that was typically seen in Big East play. I don’t think Ray Harper, WKU’s players or fans have anything to apologize for. You are just unhappy that the Hilltoppers did not lay down and take the beating that Cardinal fans expected.

      1. You have repeated this kick in the groin over and over again. Could you please show us what kick you are talking about? In ever video, in every angle I have seen, and the only kick I saw was from Harrell trying to get players off of him.

    1. 100% agree Wilkie.. Punish WKU? What do we have to gain by playing them? Sounds alot like past BBN excuses (used to say the same things about UofL) to me. It was a testy game for sure but they’ve played 7 other times with no incident recently

    2. I don’t see the comparison? It is not being said that we are too big to play them, not one “little brother” has been spoken; it is NOT about them being a smaller school. It is about that disgraceful display their team executed last game. If we were going against UK and assaulting them the whole game I would be pissed at us just as I am pissed at WKU for the way they played. And, since the officials are unable/unwilling to stop it, as they proved last fall, then we need to take what action we can to protect our kids from such abuse.

      Again, I don’t see the UK fandom comparison.

  4. Totally agree with your position, Charlie. Help Jeff and WKU football and other sports, where we can. I’m surprised we’re letting their basketball team in here this year. There must have been other drivers at work. Our fans could get ugly in retaliation for last year. We should have let things cool down and taught them a lesson. If WKU misbehaves/provokes again here, put the basketball opportunity in cold storage for several years.

  5. I’m fine with playing WKU in football as long as Jeff Brohm coaches there. After the stunt Ray Harper pulled last year Rick should refuse to play them as long as Harper is the head coach. He sent them onto the floor looking for a fight that day and unfortunately Montrezl lost his cool and gave them exactly what they wanted (except for the win, of course). There are dozens of other schools in the region that we could play in basketball instead of WKU that would be just as good for our OOC SOS and RPI. Sorry Ray, actions have consequences.

      1. According to this article from the BG Daily News it’s the last game on the current contract. Seeing how Rick was non-committal on extending the series before the game last season one would imagine that the events during that game make him even less eager to do so. I’d guess that it will come down to how much of a grudge Rick holds from that game and whether or not he still takes things like that personal at his age. Myself, I’d be fine with telling WKU’s AD that they will not be scheduled in men’s basketball as long as Ray Harper is the coach. It won’t be the first time their AD has gotten negative feedback regarding his head coach.

        http://tinyurl.com/ul-wku-series

    1. I disagree about waiting the two years. We never ducked Memphis, even when they threw ice, pennies and knives on the court. Rick Pitino can cure this real quickly by beating the snot out of WKU!

      1. I don’t that the outcome of the game will have any influence on the behavior of the WKU, that will take direction and discipline; I have seen nothing since that game took place to make me believe the Hilltoppers are getting more of either.

        1. L-O-L. Discipline. Haven’t seen anything. WKU did not record a single T the rest of the year. Did UofL’ville, honest question? Despite 3 games in Diddle which matched or exceeded the atmosphere of the Montrez Harrell rendition of Fight Night, there were ZERO issues with any fans, players, coaches, etc. Yup, totally WKU and not the illiterate trash player and fanbase with as much slime as a John Calipari hairdo.

  6. I disagree. We should be playing WKU in all-sports. Playing them is better than playing home coming cupcake schools. It is a game that most in Kentucky will want to see.

  7. Charlie,

    As lifelong Uofl fan and Alum of WKU (fan of both programs) it pains me to see some of the UofL fanbase act like they’re above playing WKU. Uofl fans should empathize because WKU is following a similar (though harder with smaller fan base/city) trajectory as Uofl did 15-20 years ago and fighting for the respect in UK’s shadow as well. Was last years basketball game unfortunate? yes but They’ve played for 8 years prior to that with no incident and sometimes rivalry’s get testy (no one is calling for end of UK series after pregame antics in football). Uofl should have room on their non conference basketball schedule for a program that’s been to 22 NCAA tournaments (more than Wisconsin, Memphis, Gonzaga & others)and consistently gives them a solid game that they should win. Especially compared to Cleveland State and Cal state northridges that litter the non conference schedule. Uofl fans should look in the mirror and proudly say bring it on instead of finding a reason to duck WKU like UK has done to the smaller instate sibling (see 2001 basketball now Football in 12 & 13). Go Tops & Go Cards

    1. Not calling for an end, Ross, but the hostile atmosphere in Diddle Arena was a bit much. I am for the football series, but basketball can wait a couple of years after the most recent experience. As for UK, there are some of us who would prefer we go our separate ways.

      1. Sounds like Louisville is running scared. It was not more hostile in Diddle than its been in Freedom Hall and Yum. No one made Harrell take a swing at another player, he’s a thug and will always have problems.

        1. Not sure how you come close to your conclusions. I’m just suggesting a two-year hiatus in basketball, and Montrezl Harrell is a model citizen as far as I’m concerned.

        2. Ronnie, the thug at that game was the WKU player who punched Harrell in the groin. I would have awaited an apology from the school, the Coach, and that player before I agreed to resume playing them in basketball.

          1. HAHAHA UL fans are UK lite. [Offensive content edited] Nobody “attacked” him. it was a loose ball on the floor. You arm chair analysts must not ever played the game.

            As for the “Hostile” atmosphere. That is called rivalry and passion, you know, what makes college sports. Look at ANY instate game, for ANY team. The difference is the intimacy of an arena like Diddle, where the fans are on top of the game (as opposed to yum where you are acres away). The same things that Diddle brings to a game like that, is what makes Cameron what it is.

            And let’s not act like Diddle has never been like that for the redbirds. Look back to the last game before UL ran from CLee’s teams (which only added to the rivalry).

            The “hostile” crowd is as much UL’s fault as WKU.

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