Louisville Cardinals Look to Make ACC History Against Miami Hurricanes
In the heart of Charlotte, Louisville basketball is on the brink of making history. Since joining the ACC in 2014, the Cardinals have yet to make consecutive trips to the tournament's semifinal round.
But today, under the guidance of coach Pat Kelsey, the sixth-seeded Cardinals have a shot at changing that narrative as they face the No. 3 seed Miami Hurricanes. Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at the Spectrum Center.
Louisville's journey to the quarterfinals was anything but easy. They showcased resilience with a comeback victory against No.
11 SMU, triumphing 62-58. This marked the first win for Kelsey's squad in 17 attempts when trailing with five minutes left on the clock.
"On a night we didn't shoot it well, it was awesome to see us figure out a way to get a tough win," Kelsey remarked, highlighting the team's determination.
Miami, on the other hand, comes into this matchup with a double bye, thanks to a strong regular season finish at 24-7 (13-5 ACC). Despite dropping their regular-season finale to Louisville in a nail-biting 92-89 contest, Miami's coach Jai Lucas remains optimistic.
"We got a lot of good film that we can use from this. Hopefully, we get the opportunity to play them again," Lucas said, eyeing a chance for redemption.
Where to Catch the Action
Fans can catch the Cardinals and Hurricanes clash on ESPN2. For those tuning in via cable, it’s available on channel 606 for AT&T U-Verse, 209 on DirecTV, 143 on Dish, and 509 on Spectrum. The broadcast will feature Kevin Brown on play-by-play, with analysis from Jay Williams and sideline insights by Taylor Tannebaum.
For those who prefer to stream, the game is accessible on ESPN.com and the ESPN app. Fubo also offers a streaming option with a free trial available.
Radio Coverage
Paul Rogers and Jody Demling will provide live commentary on the Cardinal Sports Network, available on WLCL 93.9-FM and WGTK 970-AM in Louisville. Online listeners can tune in via GoCards.com.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Louisville enters the game as a slight favorite with a 1½-point edge on DraftKings. The over/under is set at 151½ points. The money line favors Louisville at -120, with Miami at +100.
Analytics site KenPom gives the Cardinals a 62% chance to win, projecting an 81-77 victory. BartTorvik.com is also leaning towards Louisville, forecasting an 82-77 outcome.
Upcoming ACC Tournament Schedule
- Thursday, March 12 Game 8: No.
2 Virginia vs. No.
7 N.C. State, noon, ESPN2
- Game 9: No. 3 Miami vs.
No. 6 Louisville, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2
- Game 10: No. 1 Duke vs.
No. 8 Florida State, 7 p.m., ESPN
- Game 11: No. 4 North Carolina vs.
No. 5 Clemson, 9:30 p.m., ESPN
Louisville Roster Highlights
The Cardinals boast a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers. Key players include senior guard Ryan Conwell, junior forward/center Sananda Fru, and sixth-year guard J'Vonne Hadley. Freshman talents like Mikel Brown Jr. and Will Hanke add youthful energy to the lineup.
As the Cardinals aim to etch their name in ACC history, fans are in for an exciting showdown. Whether you're watching on TV, streaming online, or listening on the radio, this matchup promises to deliver all the thrills of March basketball.