Louisville vs. SMU: A Familiar Showdown in the ACC Tournament
When No. 24-ranked Louisville takes on SMU in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, expect a game with few surprises but plenty of intensity. This matchup marks the third encounter between these two in just over a month, setting the stage for a well-known rivalry.
Louisville, holding the sixth seed, aims to regain momentum after a late-February slump briefly nudged them out of the national rankings. Meanwhile, 11th-seed SMU comes in hot, having dispatched Syracuse 86-69 in the first round.
SMU coach Andy Enfield summed it up: "It was a win we needed, and we're ready to bring that energy again."
Both teams split their regular-season meetings, each winning at home. Louisville took the first game 88-74, while SMU claimed the second 95-85. Enfield highlighted their offensive prowess: "We're the top-scoring teams in the league, so scoring and defense will be key."
Louisville, fresh off a victory over a ranked Miami squad, holds the sixth seed for the first time in the ACC tournament. Coach Pat Kelsey is optimistic: "There's a lot of belief in that locker room. We're excited for what's ahead."
Last year, Louisville made it to the ACC championship game for the first time, only to fall to Duke. This season, they’re looking to build on that success.
For SMU, a four-game losing streak at the end of the regular season might have dimmed their NCAA Tournament hopes, but they’re still fighting for a spot. Enfield remains hopeful: "Tuesday's win looked like an NCAA Tournament team performance."
Boopie Miller, SMU's leading scorer, averages 19.5 points per game, with Jaron Pierre Jr. close behind at 17.6. Both were on fire against Syracuse, each hitting five 3-pointers. "Pierre's streaky, but when he's on, it's a sight to behold," Enfield noted.
A challenge for SMU is depth, as their reserves didn't score in the last game. They'll need more contributions to keep pace with Louisville, who ranks fourth nationally in 3-pointers per game.
Louisville’s Ryan Conwell and Mikel Brown Jr. have been standout performers, earning All-ACC second and third-team honors, respectively. The health of reserve Aly Khalifa, who played through illness to notch five assists against Miami, could be crucial.
As Coach Kelsey approaches his 50th win with Louisville, the Cardinals are poised to make a statement. This game promises to be a thrilling chapter in their growing rivalry with SMU.