Kenny Payne confirms Penny Hardaway's desire to renew Louisville-Memphis rivalry

Kenny Payne is looking to bring Louisville back into the national spotlight, which could include the return of a historic rivalry which has spanned across multiple generations and multiple conferences throughout the years. With two former players now coaches at the schools, the history could meet the present and make for a special non-conference series.  

Kenny Payne confirmed to Brett Dawson of the Louisville Courier Journal that Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway has reached out about possibly scheduling a game. While he has not yet responded, he plans to get back with the old rival about his proposition.

Louisville leads the all-time series 53-36 over Memphis, and won the most recent meeting in 2017. The rivalry series dates back to 1949 and has spanned across the Missouri Valley Conference, Metro Conference, Conference USA and American Athletic Conference before the Cardinals left for the ACC in 2014.

Kenny Payne is also trying to follow in Penny Hardaway’s footsteps over the next year, winning a recruiting battle against Kentucky’s John Calipari for the No. 1 player in the country after just one season on the job. Hardaway and Memphis secured James Wiseman in 2019 and 2023 top recruit DJ Wagner has a close connection has shown interest in Louisville.

Louisville schedules another rival

Kentucky and Louisville also hold one of the fiercest rivalries in college basketball. The series gets another big storyline as former John Calipari assistant Kenny Payne takes over with Cardinals.

The matchup had been on a year hiatus, with the two programs not playing in 2021-22, but a return is in store for this season.

Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports is reporting that the game will take place on New Year’s Eve in Rupp Arena. A festive affair indeed as Kentucky and Louisville meet up on the hardwood once again.

The Wildcats lost at the KFC Yum! Center during the 2020-2021 season, ending a three-game winning streak. Payne went 10-2 against the Cardinals while he was an assistant coach in Lexington. Now, he is back at his alma mater, looking to start a winning streak with Louisville.

Kentucky and Louisville first met in 1913 and have played a total of 54 times. The Wildcats have the all-time series lead at 37-17. More times than not, John Calipari has had his team on the winning end since taking over the program, winning 10 of 13 matchups.

This rivalry goes even further than the regular season as well. Six different times the two have met in the NCAA Tournament, all in the Sweet Sixteen or later. Kentucky has the advantage there as well, winning four times, including the last two.