Louisville basketball is poised to reignite its historic rivalry with Memphis on December 13 at the KFC Yum! Center. The matchup marks the first meeting between the two teams since 2017, bringing together the No. 11 Cardinals (8-1) and the Tigers (4-4) for the 91st time since their rivalry began in 1949. This clash will serve as the kickoff for a six-year series between the two schools and will feature the heartfelt retirement ceremony for the late Junior Bridgeman’s No. 10 jersey, along with a commemoration of the program’s 1975 Final Four appearance.
Louisville comes off a week of rest after securing a victory against then-No. 19 Indiana, triumphing 75-64 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This win was particularly significant as it followed a defeat to then-No. 23 Arkansas, rallying the Cardinals’ spirits ahead of this critical matchup. Meanwhile, Memphis has also had a week off, riding the momentum of a three-game win streak that culminated with a 78-71 victory over Baylor on December 6.
As the teams prepare to take the court, both squads will look to leverage their week of rest. As of the latest rankings, Memphis sits at 119th in the NET rankings and 64th in KenPom’s adjusted efficiency metrics, indicating room for improvement as they face a favored Louisville side.
The game is set to tip off at 3:30 p.m. ET. Fans can follow the excitement live on ESPN, with coverage provided by Wes Durham and Cory Alexander, or through the Cardinal Sports Network, featuring Paul Rogers and Bob Valvano on the call. Streaming options are available via ESPN.com and the ESPN app, as well as ESPN+ and Fubo, which currently offers a free trial.
According to DraftKings, Louisville enters the contest as a significant 15.5-point favorite, with an over/under set at 159.5 points. Statistical projections from KenPom provide Louisville with an 88% chance of victory, forecasting an 86-73 finish in their favor, while BartTorvik.com similarly projects an 88% chance, predicting a score of 86-72.
As both teams gear up for this season-defining encounter, fans eagerly anticipate a reinvigorated rivalry steeped in history and competition.
