Countdown to Tipoff | Louisville vs. Bellarmine, TV info, matchups and more

TV info, matchups and more

The Cardinals and Knights will tip off at 7 p.m. ET in Freedom Hall

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville men's basketball team will open its 2022-23 season on Monday, Nov. 7 against Bellarmine University at Freedom Hall. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN+. Louisville is coming off a 23-13 season in which it reached the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament and the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals return four starters from that team, including All-ACC guard El Ellis. Bellarmine is coming off a 20-13 season in which it won the ASUN Conference Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. The Knights return three starters from that team, including ASUN Player of the Year Dylan Penn.

Matchups

The matchup between Louisville and Bellarmine will be a battle of two of the top teams in the state of Kentucky. Louisville is ranked No. 14 in the preseason AP Poll, while Bellarmine is ranked No. 25. The Cardinals will have a size advantage over the Knights, with 6-foot-11 center Sydney Curry and 6-foot-10 forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield leading the way. Bellarmine will counter with a quick and athletic backcourt led by Penn and junior guard CJ Fleming. The game will also be a matchup of two of the top coaches in the country. Louisville head coach Kenny Payne is in his first season with the Cardinals after spending the last 10 seasons as an assistant coach at Kentucky. Bellarmine head coach Scott Davenport is in his 13th season with the Knights and has led the program to three NCAA Tournament appearances.

Prediction

Louisville is a clear favorite in this game, but Bellarmine is a dangerous team that could pull off an upset. The Cardinals will need to play well on the defensive end and limit Bellarmine's 3-point shooting in order to win the game.