Louisville basketball is taking on the Memphis Tigers this afternoon inside the KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals are off to a hot start at 8-1, and are coming off a big-time win over the Indiana Hoosiers. Louisville is ranked No. 12 nationally, and while the Tigers are 4-4, they are a much better team than their record indicates.
They are coming off a huge Power Four win over the Baylor Bears and have played competitively in their four losses against big-time programs, including No. 1 Purdue. Memphis was up against the Boilermakers with seven minutes to go, and while they lost 80-71, they showed they are no pushover.
Yesterday, head coach Pat Kelsey previewed this afternoon's game, but the main thing that stood out was his call-out of the fans and his powerful, passionate message to them.
Pat Kelsey sends powerful and passionate message to Louisville basketball fans
Louisville fans are passionate about their basketball team, and Kelsey knows that. But, he made it very clear Friday afternoon, for this rivalry showdown, he wants the KFC Yum! Center to be filled with fans, and there to be no empty seats this afternoon.
"We need you," Kelsey stated passionately. "Get out of your comfort zone because we're getting out of ours because we're playing a really good team. Schedule Memphis, schedule Cincinnati, schedule the Lakers. Done. Where you at?”
Kelsey is not only calling all fans to the Yum! Center, but he gives them high praise. Kelsey stated in his final message before he stormed out of the conference that they are a “game-changer” and wants them to be a major factor and their sixth man today.
“Be a factor in the game tomorrow,” Kelsey stated yesterday. “We need you. We need you. We need that place hoppin' tomorrow. Like, I want to look up in the upper deck and go, gosh, dang, I don't see many empty seats. If you don't have your tickets yet, get them. It's a really good Memphis team tomorrow. And we need a big-time win. And we have that sixth man. It's a game changer."
The Cardinals' non-conference schedule has been an exciting start to the season, and Louisville has embraced every second of it. Louisville renewed two old rivalries in Cincinnati and Memphis, and with today’s game being at home, Kelsey is sending a powerful message to the fans to be that X-factor in today’s game.
Louisville and Memphis tip-off today at 3:30 local time. For all news and updates, stay tuned.