For the first time in almost a decade, the Memphis Tigers will play their longtime foes, Louisville.
It’s not a one-off game, either. In an announcement by both schools, it will be a six-game series between the schools with the first matchup on Dec. 13 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville.
“Renewing this rivalry with Louisville means everything – not just for Memphis, but for college basketball as a whole,” said Penny Hardaway. “There’s real history and passion between us, and we are thrilled to help bring it back and give our fans – and the sport – something special to look forward to the next six years.”
There has been no love lost between the Tigers and the Cardinals. They’ve shared four conferences over the years and have produced some insane moments, from the brawl in 1971 to the CUSA title game in 2005 and so many more classics in between. They are bringing one of the most heated rivalries in college basketball to a new generation of fans.
Both teams had strong seasons last year and look to continue that momentum. Memphis secured an AAC championship en route to a 29-6 record and a five-seed in the NCAA Tournament. As for the Cardinals, they finished 27-8, played in the ACC title game, and secured an eighth seed in the tournament.
The announcement comes as it was revealed that the Tigers will also be competing in the 2025 Baha Mar event in November. While the entire field for that event is yet to be seen, it’s been confirmed that Purdue will also be in the Bahamas that weekend.
This series now gives Memphis a consistent high-major opponent that will provide the results the Tigers need to compete for at-large bids in March. Hardaway has not shied away from playing the biggest brands in the sport since he took the job in 2018, and he’s continued to stay consistent in his aggressive scheduling in the non-conference slate.
