Cardinals Slated to Play Texas Tech in Opening Round of Players Era 16
May 21, 2026 | Men's Basketball
Louisville will play the Red Raiders on Tuesday, November 24 in Michelob Ultra Arena
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville men's basketball is slated to play Texas Tech in the opening round of the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas, Nev., on Tuesday, November 24. The Cardinals will take on the Red Raiders in Michelob Ultra Arena.
The Cardinals will play on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving Week, coined the Players Era 16, with the potential to play in the championship game on Saturday, November 28, also in Michelob Ultra Arena.
Tennessee, Maryland, San Diego State, Iowa State, St. John's, Oregon and Texas Tech are all in Louisville's side of the bracket. The Cardinals hold a combined 31-21 record over their potential first, second and third round matchups. UofL is 68-41 against the other 15 teams in the Thanksgiving Week bracket.
Louisville is 0-2 all-time against Texas Tech, with both matchups played on neutral courts.
Ticket information, game times, television assignments and more details will all be announced at a later date. Over the course of two weeks, all 37 games of the Players Era will be broadcasted on ESPN networks.
Players Era 16 | Tuesday-Saturday, November 24-28 at T-Mobile Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena
Tuesday, Nov. 24 – Opening Round Games (All times TBD)
Tennessee vs. Maryland
San Diego State vs. Iowa State
St. John's vs. Oregon
Louisville vs. Texas Tech
Gonzaga vs. Kansas State
Baylor vs. Alabama
Michigan vs. Creighton
TCU vs. Miami (FL)
Wednesday, Nov. 25
No games scheduled
Thursday, Nov. 26 (All times TBD)
Semifinal #1 - WINNER (Tennessee/Maryland) vs. WINNER (San Diego State/Iowa State)
Semifinal #2 - WINNER (St. John's/Oregon) vs. WINNER (Louisville/Texas Tech)
Consolation #1
Consolation #2
Semifinal #3- WINNER (Gonzaga/Kansas State) vs. WINNER (Baylor/Alabama)
Semifinal #4 - WINNER (Michigan/Creighton) vs. WINNER (TCU/Miami)
Consolation #3
Consolation #4
Friday, Nov. 27 (All times TBD)
Bracket #1 Champ – WINNER Semifinal #1 vs. WINNER Semifinal #2
Bracket #2 Champ – WINNER Semifinal #3 vs. WINNER Semifinal #4
Bracket #1 Third Place
Bracket #1 Fifth Place
Bracket #1 Seventh Place
Bracket #2 Third Place
Bracket #2 Fifth Place
Bracket #2 Seventh Place
Saturday, Nov. 28 (Time TBD)
Players Era 16 Championship Game (Michelob ULTRA Arena)
The Cardinals will play on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday of Thanksgiving Week, coined the Players Era 16, with the potential to play in the championship game on Saturday, November 28, also in Michelob Ultra Arena.
Tennessee, Maryland, San Diego State, Iowa State, St. John's, Oregon and Texas Tech are all in Louisville's side of the bracket. The Cardinals hold a combined 31-21 record over their potential first, second and third round matchups. UofL is 68-41 against the other 15 teams in the Thanksgiving Week bracket.
Louisville is 0-2 all-time against Texas Tech, with both matchups played on neutral courts.
Ticket information, game times, television assignments and more details will all be announced at a later date. Over the course of two weeks, all 37 games of the Players Era will be broadcasted on ESPN networks.
Players Era 16 | Tuesday-Saturday, November 24-28 at T-Mobile Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena
Tuesday, Nov. 24 – Opening Round Games (All times TBD)
Tennessee vs. Maryland
San Diego State vs. Iowa State
St. John's vs. Oregon
Louisville vs. Texas Tech
Gonzaga vs. Kansas State
Baylor vs. Alabama
Michigan vs. Creighton
TCU vs. Miami (FL)
Wednesday, Nov. 25
No games scheduled
Thursday, Nov. 26 (All times TBD)
Semifinal #1 - WINNER (Tennessee/Maryland) vs. WINNER (San Diego State/Iowa State)
Semifinal #2 - WINNER (St. John's/Oregon) vs. WINNER (Louisville/Texas Tech)
Consolation #1
Consolation #2
Semifinal #3- WINNER (Gonzaga/Kansas State) vs. WINNER (Baylor/Alabama)
Semifinal #4 - WINNER (Michigan/Creighton) vs. WINNER (TCU/Miami)
Consolation #3
Consolation #4
Friday, Nov. 27 (All times TBD)
Bracket #1 Champ – WINNER Semifinal #1 vs. WINNER Semifinal #2
Bracket #2 Champ – WINNER Semifinal #3 vs. WINNER Semifinal #4
Bracket #1 Third Place
Bracket #1 Fifth Place
Bracket #1 Seventh Place
Bracket #2 Third Place
Bracket #2 Fifth Place
Bracket #2 Seventh Place
Saturday, Nov. 28 (Time TBD)
Players Era 16 Championship Game (Michelob ULTRA Arena)
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