Martin: Memphis and Louisville are no longer rivals. That has to change.
University of Memphis coach Penny Hardaway coaches his team from the sideline during a Dec. 6, 2025 game against Baylor. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
John Martin
John Martin is a contributing college sports columnist for The Daily Memphian. Martin is a lifelong Memphian who’s covered the Memphis Tigers’ basketball program for more than a decade. Before joining The Daily Memphian team, he was the Memphis beat writer for The Athletic. Currently, he is the co-host of the Jason and John Show on 92.9 FM ESPN, weekdays at 11 a.m. Martin is a graduate of White Station High School and the University of Memphis.
On Saturday, Memphis and Louisville will play a basketball game for the first time in eight years.
This has caused an outburst of nostalgia in Memphis. It’s a celebration that games with Louisville have returned.
But the goal of Memphis athletics shouldn’t just be to beat Louisville on Saturday. Or, as big underdogs, to keep the game close and improve the Tigers’ NET rating.
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