Louisville basketball, Memphis renew rivalry with six-game series. What to know
The Louisville-Memphis basketball rivalry is back on.
The Cardinals on Thursday announced a six-year series through the 2030-31 season with the Tigers, beginning with a Dec. 13 game at the KFC Yum! Center. Tipoff time and TV designation have not yet been determined.
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U of L will play Memphis at the FedExForum in 2026-27. Dates and venues for the remaining four games of the series "are still being finalized," a team spokesperson said in a news release.
Linked by the Missouri Valley Conference, the Metro Conference and Conference USA, the Cards and Tigers have played 90 times dating back to 1949. Louisville has faced only one opponent more across its 111-year history, Cincinnati.
It's been a while. This year's meeting will be U of L and Memphis' first since Dec. 16, 2017, at Madison Square Garden. The Cards won that game, 81-72, to take first place in the Gotham Classic.
Louisville holds a 54-36 lead in the all-time series with the Tigers. It hasn't hosted Memphis at the Yum! Center since Jan. 9, 2014.
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Last summer, assistant coach Brian Kloman spoke about the possibility of renewing the rivalry during an interview with Cardinal Companion on X, formerly Twitter.
"No promises," Pat Kelsey's longest-tenured staff member said, "but we are working toward it, for sure."
Mission accomplished.
Louisville Cardinals forward Ray Spalding (13) scores against Memphis Tigers guard Jamal Johnson (1) in the second half at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017.
"Renewing this rivalry with Louisville means everything — not just for Memphis, but for college basketball as a whole," Tigers coach Penny Hardaway said in a statement Thursday. "These are the kinds of games that bring out the best in both programs, energize fan bases and are the reason players want to come to Memphis.
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"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."
Memphis is fresh off Hardaway's best run yet at the helm of his alma mater; although it ended in a first-round NCAA Tournament exit. The Tigers went 29-6 and won both the American Athletic Conference's regular-season and tournament titles, earning a No. 5 seed in March Madness.
Former Louisville assistant Nolan Smith joined Hardaway's staff after the firing of Kenny Payne last spring.
In addition to this game against Memphis, the Cards have made official two others in the nonconference portion of their 2025-26 schedule: Nov. 11 vs. Kentucky and Dec. 16 at Tennessee.
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U of L and Indiana have reportedly agreed to play Dec. 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. At the Final Four in April, former coach Rick Pitino told reporters St. John's was "negotiating with Louisville to bring them in very early in the season" for a game at Madison Square Garden.
Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville basketball schedule 2025-26: UofL adds series with Memphis
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