News Summary
The Memphis Tigers and Louisville Cardinals have agreed to a six-game basketball series beginning in the 2025-26 season, ending a hiatus since 2017. The series will include home and away games, with the first match at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville. The rivalry, historically rich with 90 matchups, resumes as both teams enter the series following strong seasons.
Memphis
The Memphis Tigers and Louisville Cardinals have agreed to revive their long-standing basketball rivalry with a six-game series beginning in the 2025-26 season. The first match is slated for December 13, 2025, at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville.
The series features a structured schedule with reciprocal home games for each team. Following the opening game, the two teams are set to face off at FedExForum in Memphis in 2026. The contract also designates Louisville to host another game in 2028, while Memphis will welcome Louisville back in 2029.
In addition to these scheduled games, there are prospects for two neutral site games in Nashville in 2027 and 2030. However, these plans remain tentative as financial arrangements for the neutral site games have yet to be finalized.
The Rivalry’s History
This upcoming series marks a significant moment as Memphis and Louisville have not competed against one another since December 16, 2017, when they met at Madison Square Garden. The rivalry is deeply rooted, with the two teams having squared off 90 times historically. Louisville currently leads the all-time series with a record of 54 wins to Memphis’s 36.
The rivalry has spanned multiple basketball conferences, including the Missouri Valley, Metro, Conference USA, and the American Athletic Conference (AAC), contributing to its rich competitive history.
Current Team Performance
Both teams enter this renewed rivalry following successful seasons. Louisville achieved a commendable record of 27-8 and made their return to the NCAA Tournament under the leadership of head coach Pat Kelsey. Meanwhile, Memphis finished their season with a strong 29-6 record and has made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament under head coach Penny Hardaway’s guidance.
The renewal of this rivalry is seen as positive not only for the participating teams but also for the institutions and the sport in general. The competitive spirit is expected to energize fan bases and attract new talent to both programs, further enhancing student and community engagement.
With both teams showcasing high levels of performance and commitment to their basketball programs, the excitement surrounding the upcoming series is palpable. Fans from both cities eagerly await the rekindling of this storied rivalry, which promises to deliver thrilling matchups in the years to come.
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Additional Resources
- Commercial Appeal: Memphis vs. Louisville Schedule Series
- Go Tigers Go: Memphis and Louisville Agree to Six-Year Series
- Sports Illustrated: Memphis Series Announced
- Fox 13 Memphis: Memphis-Louisville Six-Year Series
- Wikipedia: College Basketball Rivalries
