Late Wednesday afternoon, Louisville basketball learned more about their 2025-26 schedule as the Cardinals found out that their matchup in the ACC/SEC Challenge was the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Cardinals have a thrilling schedule as they will now face some of the best teams and historic programs next season, both at home and on the road.
While the two programs might not have a ton of history, Louisville definitely has a lot of history with the Razorbacks coach. Arkansas is now led by Hall of Fame coach John Calipari, who was the former head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats for 15 seasons.
The Cardinals and Razorbacks are a rivalry that fans have been begging for, especially Louisville fans. The Cardinals want to beat coach Cal, whether he is with Kentucky or Arkansas. This matchup has sparked a rivalry that college basketball fans have wanted, and Louisville fans are thrilled to see they have a chance to beat one of their most hated coaches of all time.
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Louisville basketball just reignited the No. 1 rivalry fans have been begging for
It is no secret that Calipari and Louisville fans don't get along. The former Kentucky Wildcats head coach had an impressive resume during his tenure with the Wildcats, earning a 13-3 record against Louisville in his 15 seasons.
Coach Cal has a 19-8 overall record against the Cardinals, but it's those 15 seasons with Kentucky that make him unpopular among Cardinals fans. The Louisville fans continue to keep their eyes on Calipari, which causes the fan base to dislike Arkansas because he is their head coach.
This was the exact matchup fans wanted in the ACC/SEC Challenge, and it has now become the No. 1 game Louisville basketball fans are looking forward to. After the news broke, we asked on our social media page what game everyone was looking forward to, and shockingly, Arkansas was the No. 1 response.
These fans strongly believe this is their year, and they want to sharpen their claws and get revenge on every team, coach, and player that they can. The Cardinals wanted Arkansas because they wanted to beat this former head coach, who had ended their season multiple times.
This ACC/SEC Challenge has just sparked this rivalry and hopefully ignites one that is here to stay. The rivalry between Coach Cal and Louisville basketball is a fun and exciting matchup that benefits the sport.
This matchup is expected to be one of the best matches of the season. Both coaches have a fantastic roster and one of the best backcourts in the nation. Multiple 5-star guards will lead each team, and key players will return, making this game a must-watch game for college basketball fans.
The Cardinals should have a slight advantage over Coach Cal and Arkansas, as they have an experience advantage, having secured multiple international commitments and elite transfer additions. The date and time haven't been announced, but the Cardinals faithful made it clear that this one is circled on their calendars.
Louisville is seeking revenge against Coach Cal, aiming to spark a rivalry and make it clear that they do not like the former Kentucky Wildcats head coach.
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For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.