The Cards will renew a conference rivalry that historically is considered to be one of the better hardwood feuds in NCAA basketball when they face off against Memphis for the 88th time on Thursday night at the KFC Yum Center. The Cardinals lead this series 53-34 and have won the last four. Memphis enters Thursday’s American Athletic Conference match-up having won nine of its last 11 games. Louisville is a perfect 9-0 at home this season, with all nine games won by 16 or more points. The Cardinals return home for the first time since December 17th.

The Tigers could pose the biggest threat to Louisville for the AAC title and if last season’s meeting was any indication, this year’s meetings will be fun to watch as Josh Pastner should have his best team in his five seasons as head coach. Their deep, veteran backcourt is among the best in the AAC, Memphis returns a perimeter game that can compete with any team in the country with Joe Jackson (15pts, 3.5rpg, 3.5apg), Geron Johnson (8.3pts, 4.9rpg, 3.5apg), and Chris Crawford (8.8pts, 4.2rpg, 3.0apg). Crawford and Jackson are the first teammates to have 1,000 points and 400 assists for a career. While emerging low-post force Shaq Goodwin (12.3pts, 6.6rpg, 1.8apg) and freshman sensation Austin Nichols (8.5pts, 4.2rpg, 0.2apg) are controlling both the defensive paint and the boards.

Memphis comes into Thursdays game averaging 80.5 points-per-game, while shooting 47% from the floor and 29% from 3-point range. The Tigers are converting 65% of its attempts from the free-throw line. Defensively, Memphis is allowing 69.7 points-per-game as the opposition is shooting 44% from the floor. The Tigers are out-rebounding their opponents 510-473 with a rebounding margin of +2.8 averaging 39.2 boards-per-contest.

Memphis
2013-14 OVERALL RANKINGS
-POINTS PER GAME
80.5
35th
OVERALL
-REBOUNDS PER GAME
39.1
56th
OVERALL
-ASSISTS PER GAME
16.5
20th
OVERALL
-FIELD GOAL PCT
.473
66th
OVERALL

Kenpom Ranks
Overall – #35
Defense Adjustment Efficiency
– 96.3 ranks 45th
Offensive Adjustment Efficiency
– 111.5 ranks 45th

Folks this is probably one of the most important games of the season. Not only does it hold conference implications but also will hold season implications as our Cardinals need this quality win for their post season resume. Missing the opportunity to get the RPI quality wins against UNC and UK the opportunities are going to be few and far between as the rest of the season plays out. It won’t be an easy task to get the first win over a ranked opponent as Memphis is a very talented and athletic group. They get to the basket, like to control the paint and rebound well. The Cards front-court will once again be held to the fire. Mango, Van Treese and Montrezl will have to defend and hit the boards for Louisville to win and our back-court duo of Jones and Smith will have to stop their talented guards and force them to take jump shots. They only shoot 29% from beyond the arc. Their guards love to drive and dish and stopping the ball is key here. Cincy beat this Memphis team by playing great interior defense and stopping penetration. That will be the key for the Cardinals Thursday night. Be sure to wear your “WHITE” and cheer loud Cardinal fans!