The agreement begins with the Cardinals coming to Huntington in the 2005-06 and 2007-08 seasons, with the Herd making trips to Freedom Hall for the 2006-07 and 2008-09 campaigns.
Louisville ranks seventh nationally in NCAA Final Four appearances with seven and has won two national championships (1980, 1986). U of L went to four Final Fours in the 1980s, more than any other school, and Louisville’s 31 NCAA Tournament appearances is sixth-best all-time.
“It’s a marquee game,” said Marshall head coach Ron Jirsa. “We’re working in many areas to elevate our program, and this is one of those areas.”
Louisville leads the all-time series between the two schools, 8-5, with the last meeting coming in 1979 at Freedom Hall, a matchup the Cardinals won, 112-64. The Cardinals last played in Huntington in the 1977-78 season, beating the Thundering Herd, 85-69. Marshall’s last victory in the series came on January 21, 1950, when the Herd won, 96-72, in Huntington.