Louisville Cardinals Men’s Basketball Prepares for Showdown with Chattanooga
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball team is gearing up for their second game of the season as they face off against Chattanooga at the KFC Yum! Center on Friday night. The game, which is set to begin at 7 p.m. ET, will be available for streaming on ACC Network Extra and ESPN+.
After a successful season opener on Monday where they overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat UMBC, the Cardinals are looking to continue their winning streak. Meanwhile, Chattanooga started their campaign with an impressive 89-44 victory over Covenant.
This matchup between Louisville and Chattanooga holds a significant place in their history, as the all-time series is currently tied at 5-5. While Chattanooga emerged victorious in the first five meetings between 1921-31, Louisville has dominated the series in recent years, winning the last five matchups since 1976, including their most recent clash in Louisville in 2010.
The Cardinals are entering the game with high hopes and are eager to build upon their early-season success. Their victory against UMBC marked their 19th win in the last 20 season openers, and they have won 22 of their last 23 home openers, showcasing their strong performance in the early stages of the season.
One player to watch out for is Louisville’s redshirt sophomore, Mike James, who had an outstanding performance in their season opener. James recorded a career-high 25 points and 10 rebounds, earning his first career double-double. His scoring display was the most by a Cardinal in a season opener since Montrezl Harrell’s 30-point game against Minnesota in 2014. James’ exceptional performance puts him in a category of talented Louisville players who have achieved at least 25 points and 10 rebounds in a game, a feat that has only been accomplished 15 times since 2000, with the last occurrence being Jordan Nwora’s performance against Florida State in January 2020.
Louisville’s success cannot be solely attributed to James as their overall team performance has been remarkable. In their season opener, they attempted 39 free throws, the most since their game against Michigan State in 2018 where they attempted 41. On the other hand, their opponents have attempted just 63 free throws across their two exhibition games and the season opener, highlighting the Cardinals’ ability to draw fouls and capitalize on their opportunities at the free-throw line.
The Cardinals’ dominance extended to the paint as well, with their game against UMBC witnessing them score 60 points in the paint, the most since their game against Louisiana in December 2013.
In addition to their returning players, Louisville’s newcomers have also made a strong impact. Ty-Laur Johnson, Skyy Clark, and Tre White all scored in double figures in their debut game, becoming the first set of three new Cardinals to achieve this feat in at least 25 years. Their contributions demonstrate the depth and talent of the team as they look to continue their success against Chattanooga.
As Louisville and Chattanooga prepare to face off, it is important to remember their past encounters. In their last exhibition meeting in November 2010, Louisville emerged victorious with a dominant 106-65 win. Preston Knowles led the way with 14 points, while Peyton Siva, Kyle Kuric, and Terrence Jennings each added 13 points to secure the victory. Louisville’s success in that game was highlighted by their ability to push the tempo and force Chattanooga into turnovers.
The Cardinals are ready to replicate their previous success against Chattanooga and continue their winning streak. With their talented roster and momentum from their season opener, Louisville aims to claim victory in this highly anticipated matchup.
