The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball program is forming one of the more exciting schedules for its fans. The Cardinal Nation learned last week that Louisville will renew its rivalries with the Memphis Tigers and the Cincinnati Bearcats as both teams will be on Louisville's 2025-26 slate.
Also on their 2025-26 slate is a matchup with the Tennessee Volunteers, the Indiana Hoosiers, and their in-state rival, the Kentucky Wildcats. Some news was reported on Friday that the possible showdown between the Cardinals and their former head coach, Rick Pitino, and the St John's Red Storm will actually not happen, according to Matthew McGavic of Sports Illustrated.
McGavic reported that the Cardinals' Athletic Director, Josh Heird, went on 93.9 The Ville and announced that it could work out for their future schedule, but St. John's won't be on it for their upcoming season.
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Louisville basketball fans’ dream matchup shut down for next season
It was reported that the two programs wanted to make the showdown happen, but it just didn't work out for this upcoming season. Pitino was seen at the Final Four and reported that the two respected programs were working to have the first game played at Madison Square Garden and the second game at KFC Yum! Center.
However, it appears the plans fell through. Heird stated on the radio show that Louisville didn't fit on their schedule last year, and St. John's doesn't fit on the Cardinals' schedule this year. Pitino was one of the best coaches in Cardinals basketball history, and he brought them their first National Championship since 1986. Both fan bases would love this matchup to happen again, but they will have to wait.
Heird stated that Kelsey and he are trying to make it happen and want it to happen, but it has to fit in both programs' schedules, and make sense.
Louisville AD Josh Heird says on @939TheVille that a matchup with St. John’s for the 2025-26 season is off the table, but the two sides are still in active discussions about a future home-and-home.
— Matt McGavic (@Matt_McGavic) May 9, 2025
“Pat wants to play that game. I want to play that game. It didn’t make sense for…
It is a shame it couldn't happen this upcoming season, but it is something to watch for the future. Louisville fans have much to look forward to on their slate, as their out-of-conference schedule will be filled with intense rivalry showdowns and national-championship-caliber matchups.