Louisville basketball is heating up at just the right time.
The Cardinals notched their third straight win with an 88-80 victory over Wake Forest, and once again, the frontcourt showed out. Sananda Fru delivered a perfect night from the field, going 6-for-6 and finishing with 17 points, while Khani Rooths came off the bench and added 13 more. That kind of production from the bigs has been a growing trend during this win streak-and it’s a big reason why Louisville suddenly finds itself in the thick of the ACC race.
Now sitting at 17-6 overall and 7-4 in conference play, the Cards are making a legitimate push for a top-four seed in the ACC Tournament-and with it, the all-important double-bye. That’s a big turnaround for a team that started conference play 1-2 and was 2-3 through its first five ACC games.
But credit Louisville for taking care of business against teams like Notre Dame and Wake Forest. They’re stacking wins, and in February, that’s how you climb the standings.
And speaking of the standings, there’s a game tonight that should have every Louisville fan glued to the TV.
Why Louisville fans should be watching Duke vs. UNC closely
When Duke and North Carolina meet, it’s always must-see basketball. This is one of the sport’s most storied rivalries, and tonight’s matchup is no different-with No.
4 Duke heading into Chapel Hill to take on No. 14 UNC.
But beyond the national spotlight and the bragging rights, there’s something else on the line: ACC positioning that directly affects Louisville.
Right now, Louisville is tied for fifth in the conference at 7-4. That puts them just behind a crowded group that includes Virginia, Clemson, NC State, North Carolina, and Miami. UNC enters tonight’s game at 6-3 in ACC play, and here’s where things get interesting: if the Tar Heels fall to Duke, Louisville would leapfrog them in the standings and take a half-game lead.
That’s a big deal.
The top four teams in the ACC get a double-bye in the conference tournament-a huge advantage for any team hoping to make a deep run in March. Louisville isn’t likely to catch Duke, but they’re absolutely in the mix for that No. 4 seed.
And with just eight games left on the schedule, every result matters. Tonight’s Duke-UNC clash is one of those swing games that could tilt the standings in Louisville’s favor.
What’s next for the Cardinals
The path forward doesn’t get any easier. Louisville’s next test comes at home against NC State-a team currently holding that No. 4 spot in the conference.
That’s a golden opportunity for the Cardinals to gain ground and secure a critical head-to-head advantage. After that, the schedule gets even tougher, with road matchups looming against SMU, North Carolina, Clemson, and Miami.
So yes, the Duke-UNC rivalry is always a show. But for Louisville fans, tonight’s game is more than just a marquee matchup-it’s a chance to take a step closer to that double-bye and solidify their spot among the ACC’s elite.
Bottom line: If you’re a Cards fan, you’re cheering for the Blue Devils tonight.