On December 6, 2026, the Eastern Kentucky University women's basketball team will open its 2026‑27 campaign at the KFC Yum! Center, facing the University of Louisville in a highly anticipated early‑season showdown.
Setting the Stage
The two programs met a season ago, when EKU held Louisville to a season‑low 13.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc, a performance that helped the Colonels rally from a 19‑14 first‑quarter deficit to trail only three points at halftime.
Both squads finished the previous year among the nation’s elite. Louisville advanced to the Sweet 16 under head coach Jeff Walz, closing the season with a 29‑8 record, while EKU captured the ASUN Regular Season Championship en route to a 25‑9 overall mark and an upset of No. 1 seed Utah in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament.
Head coach Greg Todd was honored as the 2026 ASUN Coach of the Year, and the Colonels are set to transition to the United Athletic Conference in July, a move that could reshape their schedule and rivalries.
Adding a local flavor, five players from Kentucky will be on the court, underscoring the deep talent pool within the state.