Louisville basketball released its 2025-26 non-conference schedule yesterday, and the Cardinals have a gauntlet of games outside of their ACC play. Louisville is set to play five teams that made the 2025 NCAA Tournament, three teams that made the Sweet Sixteen, three teams from the SEC, two from the Big 12, and one from the Big 10.
The Cardinals' biggest game on their schedule and the one every fan has circled? November 11 against the Kentucky Wildcats. When this game was announced, college basketball fans were distraught. This intense rivalry showdown is poised to be a top 10 matchup and two title contenders, and should be a game in December.
However, after looking at the Cardinals' non-conference schedule, it might be perfect that this rivalry game is on November 11.
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Louisville vs Kentucky is a massive blessing in disguise
The Cardinals and Wildcats showdown on November 11 is the earliest these two teams will ever play each other. A rivalry that dates back to the 1912-1913 season and is one of the best rivalries in all of sports, and while some may think it is on the worst dame imaginable, it now might be a blessing in disguise for the Cardinals.
The Cards have a gauntlet of a December as they will face Cincinnati, Memphis, Arkansas, Indiana, and Tennessee. Louisville doesn't need much more in that December slate, as Pat Kelsey already has enough on the table in that month. While a showdown with Kentucky should be in December, it is also an awesome matchup to kick the season off with.
The Cardinals' non-conference schedule is challenging, but Louisville has the roster and team to dominate it. But it all starts with that showdown with the Wildcats. That showdown will not just set the tone for the month of November and December, but it will set the tone for the whole season and their National Title push.
Kelsey has made it clear that when the Cardinals got beat by Tennessee early on last season, that taught them a lot for their 2024-25 season. Now, with Kentucky as their third game of the season, a win against the Wildcats would send the city of Louisville and the team into a frenzy.
This team would be on cloud nine just one week into the season and would set this team up for success the rest of the way. The Cardinals have a massive opportunity to come out of the gates hot and to show the nation why they are one of the best teams in college basketball.
So, should this game be in December? Yes. However, Kelsey starts the season off with six home games in their first seven games and going 7-0 entering the month of December, and traveling to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas would have the Cardinals as one of the top-ranked teams in the nation and all the confidence in the world.
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