College basketball is king in Kentucky, so if shouldn’t surprise you that there is a great deal of animosity between the two largest programs in the state. The Louisville-Kentucky rivalry is one of the best in college basketball and was even ranked the third best rivalry in college basketball by college basketball analyst Dick Vitale. Louisville and Kentucky are always among the best teams in the country, so you’ll be in for a treat when attending a Louisville-Kentucky game.
Louisville vs Memphis
Rival Team: Memphis Tigers
Louisville and Memphis have an intense rivalry that spans multiple sports. The rivalry has spanned across four conferences and always produces heated matchups regardless of where the two teams are in the standings. Make sure to get your tickets when the Tigers come to town as you wouldn’t want to miss it.
Louisville Cardinals Stadium Guide
In Game
The KFC Yum! Center opened in 2010 and is one of the largest venues in college basketball. The arena does an excellent job of providing a college basketball experience in an NBA sized venue giving fans the best of both worlds.
At a Louisville game, you’ll find a variety of different concessions and amenities you won’t find elsewhere in college basketball. Thanks to the arena’s sponsorship, you’ll find Yum! Brand foods like KFC and Taco Bell in addition to local favorites and standard stadium fare. Another unique aspect of attending a Louisville game is the fact the arena serves alcohol, so if you don’t have time to grab a drink before the game, you’ll be in luck as there is plenty of booze to go around inside the KFC Yum! Center. Additionally, you’ll be able to enjoy the game in style here as there are 72 suites and four lounges inside the facility.
In addition to the wealth of amenities and concession options the KFC Yum! Center has to offer; it’s also home to an incredible in-game atmosphere. The fans and spirit squads do an excellent job of creating a fun and electric atmosphere. It should come as little surprise that Cardinals fans are among the most rabid in the nation since basketball is huge in Kentucky and the Cards are the biggest game in town.
After the game, take some time to enjoy downtown Louisville. The KFC Yum! Center is located across the street from Whiskey Row, and as a result, you’ll find lots of bars and restaurants worth checking out here. The Troll Pub and Sidebar are especially good, and there are tons of other attractions nearby including the Louisville Slugger Museum and Kentucky Science Center.
A Louisville game is a great chance to experience a college atmosphere inside a pro-style arena, so don’t hesitate to make the trip to Louisville for a Cardinals basketball game.
Stop by the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame to see tributes to all of the best athletes to come from the state. The Hall of Fame honors Louisville legends such as Johnny Unitas and Wes Unseld making it a must see for any sports fan.
Hanging from the rafters are banners honoring all of the Cardinals national championship, Final Four, and conference championship winning teams. Take a glance at the banners to remember all of your favorite teams from over the years.
If you’re looking to pick up a souvenir from your trip to Louisville then make sure to check out the Cardinals team store inside the KFC Yum! Center. Here you’ll find a wide variety of Louisville gear including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and much more.
Take a stroll around the concourse before the game to see all of the wall hangings at the KFC Yum! Center. Right when you walk in you’ll be treated to a large mural dedicated to the university, and there is much more to see, so take it all in during your visit.
Throwing up an “L”
One of the best ways to show off your school spirit is through Louisville’s “L” hand signal. To make this signal just stick your right thumb out while raising your index and middle finger. This hand signal is an excellent way to show off your Cardinals pride, and if you use it often, you’ll make friends quickly at the game.
Cheerleading & Ladybirds
Both the cheerleaders and dance squads at Louisville are critically acclaimed. The cheerleading squad has won 15 national titles, and the dance squad known as the Ladybirds are no slouches either having cemented seven national titles of their own. The basketball game isn’t the only show on display at the KFC Yum! Center as these two squads are sure to put on quite a performance of their own.
The Cardinal Bird, or Louie as many fans call him, was named the 2004 National Cheerleaders Association’s Most Collegiate Mascot Award. You can see him at every Cardinals home game interacting with fans and energizing the crowd, so keep an eye out for him when in Louisville.
The Billy Minardi Classic is an annual doubleheader held at the KFC Yum! Center. The event is named after Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino’s brother-in-law who died in the September 11 Attacks. Come on out to the Billy Minardi Classic to see some of the best teams in the country square off right here in Louisville.
Fight Songs
Fight U of L
Fight now for victory and show them
How we sure will win this game
Fight on you Cardinals and prove to them
That we deserve our fame.
Rah, Rah, Rah!
Roll up the score now and beat the foe
So we can give a yell
With a FIGHT! give them all you’ve got
For we are with you U of L.
All Hail U of L
All hail to thee our U of L
As we stand up for her fame.
All hail to thee our U of L
As we fight to win this game.
Sing praises for a victory,
We wish our heroes well.
All hail the Cardinal Spirit.
All hail our U of L!
GO CARDS!
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