According to a report from Jon Rothstein of College Hoops Today, the Cincinnati Bearcats and Louisville Cardinals are rekindling their rivalry from the old Big East days.
The programs are finalizing a deal to begin a two-year neutral site series next season, with the 2025 game being played at Heritage Bank Center in downtown Cincinnati, and the 2026 matchup being played at Freedom Hall in Louisville.
While it hasn’t been as notable in the past decade, Cincinnati’s history playing against Louisville goes back deeper than most other programs.
The Bearcats have faced Louisville a total of 92 times, amassing a 40-52 record against them overall, and have played them more than any other program in the modern era.
However, the two teams have only played once in the last 10 years, with Cincinnati taking down UL, 81-62, in the Maui Invitational back in 2022.
Cincinnati is coming off a 19-16 (7-13 Big 12) season and beat DePaul in the College Basketball Crown Tournament before bowing out to UCF in the second round.
