Louisville basketball is gearing up to face Georgia Tech this afternoon, and the odds are heavily in their favor. With ESPN's Matchup Predictor giving Louisville a whopping 96 percent chance of victory and FanDuel setting them as 22.5-point favorites, the Cardinals are expected to dominate.
Despite a recent road loss to SMU, which could have been a significant win, Louisville remains a powerhouse in college basketball. In a recent NCAA Tournament mock selection, the Cardinals were ranked as the No. 20 overall seed, setting them up as a No. 5 seed against High Point in the first round.
However, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi has a different take. Following the SMU loss, Lunardi's updated bracket now places Louisville as a 6-seed.
The drop from a 5-seed to a 6-seed is notable. It impacts their potential path to the Final Four, with Lunardi projecting a matchup against the winner of Missouri vs. SMU, and a possible showdown with Kansas looming if they advance.
Currently sitting at 19-7, Louisville has just five games left to make a statement. After Georgia Tech, they face North Carolina on Monday, Clemson on Saturday, and wrap up the season against Miami.
These games are pivotal, offering the Cardinals a chance to improve their seeding. Winning out and making a deep run in the ACC Tournament could elevate them to a 3-seed or 4-seed if they reach the ACC Championship game.
However, if their struggles on the road persist and they falter in the ACC Tournament, a 6-seed or even a 7-seed is likely. This final stretch is critical for Louisville, and finding their rhythm again is essential. The path to the Final Four is much smoother for a higher seed, making these upcoming games all the more crucial.
With matchups against three NCAA Tournament-bound teams and three ahead of them in the ACC standings, Louisville has a golden opportunity to climb higher than Lunardi’s current projection. The stakes are high, and the Cardinals have everything to play for in these final games.