The Louisville men’s basketball team is gearing up for its first road trip of the season as they face off against the No. 19/17 Texas Longhorns in the 2023 Saatva Empire Classic benefiting Wounded Warrior Project presented by Continental Tire. The highly anticipated matchup is set to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET, with the game airing on ESPN.
The Cardinals come into the contest with momentum, having secured a resounding 61-41 victory against Coppin State in their last outing. On the other hand, the Longhorns maintained their perfect record, improving to 3-0 after a convincing 80-64 win over Rice.
Louisville holds a historical advantage against Texas, boasting a 4-1 all-time record. However, the two teams haven’t crossed paths since their 1997 NCAA East Regional encounter.
Key Details of the Game:
- Date and Time: November 19, 2023, 3:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York
- Media Coverage: ESPN (Karl Ravech, play-by-play | Jay Williams, analysis | Myron Medcalf, sideline)
- Radio: Cardinal Sports Network (WLCL 93.9 FM & WGTK 970 AM flagship) with streaming available
Top Storylines:
- Madison Square Garden Legacy: The Cardinals have a rich history at Madison Square Garden, dating back to 1948. The iconic venue has witnessed many memorable moments for Louisville, including championships and tournament victories.
- NBA Connections: Head coach Kenny Payne, formerly an assistant coach for the NBA’s New York Knicks, returns to Madison Square Garden with a wealth of experience. Director of Analytics and Video Technology Gabe Snider and Chief of Staff/Director of Basketball Administration Justin Perez also bring Knicks connections to the Louisville staff.
- Facing Ranked Opponent: This game marks Louisville’s first encounter with a ranked opponent this season. The Cardinals have a track record of success against Top 25 teams, aiming to continue their winning trend.
- Defensive Excellence: Louisville’s defensive prowess was evident in their recent game against Coppin State, where they allowed only 41 points—the fewest since December 5, 2018. The team aims to maintain this defensive intensity against a formidable Texas squad.
- Rebounding Dominance: As of Friday, the Cardinals rank third in the ACC and 41st nationally in rebounds per game. Junior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield has been a key contributor, ranking 35th in the country in rebounds per game.
- Inside Scoring vs. 3-Point Challenges: Louisville has found success in the paint, outscoring opponents 122-84 in the first three games. However, they face a challenge from beyond the arc, having been outscored by 42 points from the 3-point line.
- Homecoming for Ty-Laur Johnson: Freshman guard Ty-Laur Johnson, a Brooklyn native, will experience a homecoming as he returns to New York to compete at Madison Square Garden.
History vs. Texas: In their last meeting on March 21, 1997, Louisville secured a 78-63 victory over Texas in the NCAA East Region Semifinal. Despite DeJuan Wheat’s injury, Alvin Sims and Damion Dantzler stepped up, with Sims scoring a career-high 25 points. The Cardinals aim to replicate that success as they renew their rivalry with the Longhorns.
The clash promises to be an intense battle between two powerhouse programs, and fans eagerly await the outcome as Louisville aims for another statement win on the national stage.
