The Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kentucky's promising season has been plunged into doubt by its humbling 81-63 loss to Louisville on Saturday.

"This was a tough loss," UK coach Tubby Smith said. "A big game like this takes something out of you. We need to get that confidence back."

The Wildcats (6-3), who return to action today against Tennessee State (2-6), came into Saturday's game at Freedom Hall brimming with confidence, and for good reasons.

They had already beaten three Top 25 opponents, including Indiana seven days earlier on the same floor where they were meeting the Cardinals. They had also won their last three games with Louisville, including a 20-point win last season in coach Rick Pitino's much-hyped return to Rupp Arena.

UK was swaggering early Saturday, hitting 9 of its first 17 shots, grabbing 15 of the first 16 rebounds and leading 20-9 eight minutes into the game.

Then, suddenly, everything changed. The Wildcats' shots stopped falling, the rebounds evened out and the Cardinals were back in the game.

UK's confidence never returned.

Louisville outscored the Wildcats 72-43 the rest of the way, handing them their worst loss in Smith's six seasons.

"Embarrassing," said UK point guard Cliff Hawkins, who had five assists but only two points. "They stepped up their play and we didn't."

The Wildcats missed 31 of their last 45 shots and finished 3-of-18 from 3-point range. Keith Bogans, UK's top scorer, went 1-of-9 from 3-point range.

"Everywhere I went, they had somebody on me," said Bogans, who shot 5-for-15 overall.

Smith said his team followed Bogans' lead.

"When he isn't shooting well, he has a tendency to drop his shoulders," Smith said. "His attitude is contagious."

Louisville trailed only 33-30 at halftime, and a 3-pointer by freshman Francisco Garcia tied the game in the first minute of the second half. The Cardinals hit three more 3-pointers during a 17-4 run and they never lost control of the game after that.

"It seemed like we ran out of gas way too early," said UK forward Chuck Hayes. "We lost confidence too early."

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