As first reported in May, the University of Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball program will restart its rivalry with the Louisville Cardinals this season.
The game is set for Nov. 21 at Heritage Bank Center at a time to be announced.
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“We’re excited to renew our historic rivalry with Louisville at Heritage Bank Center,” UC head coach Wes Miller said. “It’s a great early-season test against a tough opponent, and I know our fans will create an incredible environment. We’ve put together a challenging non-conference schedule to help us grow as a team, and this is another opportunity to compete at a high level and prepare us for Big 12 play.”
A return game will be played in Louisville’s Freedom Hall next season. The game is in partnership with CareSource, a non-profit managed care organization and will be dubbed “The Hoops Classic”.
The teams last played in 2022 in UC’s final game in Maui at the Lahaina Civic Center Nov. 23. David DeJulius and Landers Nolley II combined for 47 points as Wes Miller’s Bearcats beat the Cardinals 81-62. Louisville was then coached by Kenny Payne.
Louisville basketball coach Pat Kelsey, throws out the first pitch before the game between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds on May 15. Louisville will come to Cincinnati to face UC on Nov. 21 at Heritage Bank Center.
The Cardinals are now coached by Elder High and Xavier grad Pat Kelsey. Kelsey replaced Payne who had replaced another Xavier man, Chris Mack. Mack is now at Charleston, where Kelsey coached before taking the Louisville job.
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Louisville finished 27-8 last season and 18-2 in the ACC. UC was 19-16 (7-13 Big 12). The Cardinals made their first NCAA appearance since 2019 last season. UC hasn’t been to the tournament since 2019 under Mick Cronin. They would have qualified after the 2019-20 season under John Brannen as The American champ, but the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the NCAA tournament.
Cincinnati Bearcats basketball coach Wes Miller will lead his team against Louisville Nov. 21 at Heritage Bank Center and against Clemson Dec. 21 on the road.
Cincinnati vs. Louisville basketball history
Through the years, the schools were league rivals during stints in the Missouri Valley Conference, Metro Conference, Conference USA, Big East Conference and the American Athletic Conference.
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“Adding a neutral-site game against Cincinnati was just another great piece in our scheduling puzzle,” Louisville head coach and Cincinnati native Pat Kelsey said. “There is great history between our two programs as we were rivals for many years. I sense the fan bases on both sides are excited. I grew up going to the Riverfront Coliseum, which is now Heritage Bank Center. In fact, it was the first place that I saw Coach Crum’s Louisville Cardinals play live. I’m excited to coach the 2025-26 edition of the Cards in the same venue.”
How to get UC-Louisville tickets
Tickets go on sale to the public starting Thursday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. ET, at HeritageBankCenter.com, Ticketmaster.com or through the Ticketmaster app.
Cincinnati Bearcats also heading to Clemson
In addition to Louisville, the Bearcats will also tangle with another Atlantic Coast Conference power when they travel to Greenville, South Carolina to face Clemson Dec. 21 in the Greenville Winter Invitational. That game will be played in Bon Secours Wellness Arena. The Tigers released their non-conference schedule Aug. 21. It will be the first meeting between the teams since 2003 under Bob Huggins. The Bearcats hold a 4-1 edge all-time in the series.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats basketball to face Louisville, Clemson in 2025
