Future of UC, U of L rivalry unknown
Mar 3, 2013
The future of the Cincinnati, Louisville rivalry, which dates back to 1921, is unknown. / The Cincinnati Enquirer/ Joseph Fuqua II
Written by
Bill Koch
Assuming that things stay as they are now, Louisville will spend one more year in the Big East Conference before moving to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2014. That means the UC-Louisville basketball rivalry, which dates to 1921, will be played at least one more time.
What happens after that?
If Louisville is in the ACC and UC remains in the Big East, will the two long-time rivals continue to play each other?
“I would like to continue playing Louisville no matter what,” said UC athletic director Whit Babcock. (Louisville Athletic Director) Tom Jurich and I talked about it. I believe that Tom is open to it. What he said is that I’ve got to get my hands around how many league games we’re going to play in the ACC. He also has an out-of-league game with Kentucky in football so which ones does he keep?”
UC basketball coach Mick Cronin said he and Louisville coach Rick Pitino have not yet discussed the possibility of playing each other after the Cardinals leave for the ACC but that they will.
“I think we belong in the same league,” Cronin said. “We’ll see.”
Louisville leads the series with UC, 54-42.
Cronin said he has had discussions with Pitt coach Jamie Dixon about a non-league series after the Panthers move to the ACC next year. He hopes to do the same with Syracuse, which is also headed to the ACC.
“Those are teams that make you better,” Cronin said, “teams I respect. You want to continue to play against the best.”
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130...ry-unknown