For forty minutes on Wednesday, the records won't matter. Neither will the rankings.
It's one of those rare basketball rivalries that means just as much if you're undefeated as it does if you're winless.
It's bad blood that dates back to 1948.
From the Missouri Valley Conference to the Metro Conference to Conference USA to whatever the future holds.
It's Louisville vs. Memphis - winner leaves with bragging rights, loser leaves with an upset stomach.
"It's Louisville," said Memphis coach John Calipari. "They're a well-coached team, they're in the top-10 in the country and we're going on their court with little or no chance, most people think, to win."You don't have to look back to 1948 to understand the history and reason for animosity.
Last year fans stormed the floor of the Pyramid after Memphis' lock-down defense preserved a 62-58 win over No. 6 Louisville.
Despite Memphis' troubles this season, Rodney Carney doesn't have to look too far back for inspiration.
"A couple of years ago we went in there and beat them when everybody said we couldn't," said Carney. "Rankings don't matter, records don't matter, it's all about what's in your heart."
Carney was recalling the February 2003 meeting at Freedom Hall. The Cardinals entered the game ranked No. 3 in the nation having won 18 of their first 20 games, their best start in 10 years.
But the Tigers wouldn't be denied.
Antonio Burks' 16 points and four assists led the Tigers to 80-73 road shocker.
The game might have been the most physical in the history of the series with the two squads combining for 84 free throws. In the final minutes of the game a disgusted Louisville crowd chunked ice onto the floor.
"My freshman year when I stepped on the floor against Louisville it was crazy, just the atmosphere and intensity of the game." said forward Duane Erwin. "I think I only played like three minutes, but it was enough to have an impact."
Also imprinted on Erwin's memory is the 2003 C-USA Tournament game against the Cards that had enough drama for an entire season.
Before the game speculation as to whether Louisville post Marvin Stone would play or not floated throughout the building.
When Stone ran out of the tunnel in a Willis Reed-like entrance the 18,355 Cardinal fans erupted.
Tiger guard John Grice played his biggest game in a Tigers uniform scoring 29 points, including six three-pointers.
In the end a Taquan Dean three-pointer with 12 seconds to play sealed a 78-75 win for the Cards.
Grice's performance and Dean's clutch shot, like so many before them, will forever tie their names to the rivalry's lore.
Calipari said his best players have always had tendency to show up in hostile environments like Freedom Hall.
"It's been the players that we've had that have taken great pride in the (series)," Calipari said. "Chris Massie just played like a dominating player up there, John Grice always got excited about playing this game, Antonio Burks would go in with one thought in mind, 'we're winning this game.' It's an arrogance, a swagger."
It's Louisville vs. Memphis.
