Big Red Louie
Fansided

Louisville basketball: The 10 most hated opposing players

By Alan Thomas

LOUISVILLE, KY - JANUARY 14: Donvan Mitchell #45 of the Louisville Cardinals and Grayson Allen #3 of the Duke Blue Devils battle for a loose ball during the game at KFC YUM! Center on January 14, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - JANUARY 14: Donvan Mitchell #45 of the Louisville Cardinals and Grayson Allen #3 of the Duke Blue Devils battle for a loose ball during the game at KFC YUM! Center on January 14, 2017 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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AUBURN HILLS, MI – MARCH 23: The mascot for the Memphis Tigers performs against the Michigan State Spartans during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at The Palace of Auburn Hills on March 23, 2013 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Keith Lee – Memphis State

1982-1985

In Keith Lee’s defense, he had no idea what kind of rivalry he was getting into. In a 1982 game at Memphis State, Louisville’s Rodney McCray had a switchblade thrown towards him while shooting free-throws.

In due time, Lee settled into the rivalry. The thing about Keith Lee’s view of Louisville is that he saw the Cards as arrogant and cocky, referencing the 1980 Championship year. He had set out to disprove the hype about our basketball program.

Again, similar to Kenyon Martin, our hatred for Lee stems from how prolific of a scorer he was. In the 1984-85 season, Memphis State defeated Louisville three times em route to a Final Four appearance. Perhaps the biggest sting of this season was the fact that Lee and Memphis State won the Metro Conference Tournament in Freedom Hall.

He plundered Louisville’s seasons in the early to mid-1980’s several times, dropping 26,21, and 15 points vs the Cardinals’ “Doctor’s of Dunk” era. Heck, even one game as a freshman Lee dropped 30 points and 13 rebounds against us. He just seemed to revel in the heat of playing his arch-rival, which unfortunately was us.

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