Louisville basketball is heating up at just the right time. Riding a four-game win streak - their second-longest of the season - the Cardinals are starting to look like a team that could make some real noise in the ACC.
Now sitting at 8-4 in conference play, they’ve clawed their way into the thick of the race near the top of the standings. But what’s fueling this surge isn’t just talent - it’s a strategic shift that’s reshaping the identity of this team.
Let’s start with the headline performance: Mikel Brown Jr. dropped 45 points in the most recent win, setting a new ACC record for points in a game by a freshman. That kind of night will grab national attention, and rightfully so. But what makes Louisville’s current run even more impressive is that it hasn’t been about one player putting the team on his back - it’s been about a team-wide adjustment that’s paying off in a big way.
A Tactical Pivot: Less Chucking, More Attacking
Louisville has never been shy about letting it fly from deep. In fact, they rank second in the nation in three-point attempts per game, averaging over 33 shots from beyond the arc.
But during this four-game stretch, they’ve dialed that back just a bit - and it’s made all the difference. They’ve been averaging closer to 30 threes per game, and even dipped to 25 attempts in their win over Wake Forest.
That slight reduction in volume has opened the door for a more balanced offensive attack. Over the past three games, the Cardinals have upped their production inside the arc, averaging around 40 points in the paint - a notable jump from their season average of 34.8. That’s not just a stat line - it’s a shift in mindset.
Why does this matter? Because when Louisville is able to score inside, it forces defenses to collapse. That opens up cleaner looks for their shooters on the perimeter, and with the kind of firepower they have from deep, that’s a dangerous combination.
Lessons Learned from Duke
If you want to see the contrast, look no further than Louisville’s last loss - a 31-point drubbing at the hands of Duke. In that game, the Cardinals managed just 10 points in the paint.
That lack of interior presence made them one-dimensional, and Duke made them pay. The final score - 83-52 - told the story.
That loss seems to have been a turning point. Since then, Louisville has made a clear effort to get downhill, attack the rim, and establish themselves inside. And it’s working.
Frontcourt Fire: Rooths and Fru Step Up
A big reason for the improved interior scoring? The emergence of Khani Rooths.
Since returning to the lineup, Rooths has brought energy and efficiency to the frontcourt, averaging 10.3 points and 7.3 boards per game. He’s giving Louisville a physical presence inside that they were missing earlier in the season.
And then there’s Sananda Fru, who’s quietly becoming one of the most consistent contributors on the roster. Fru was perfect from the field in the win over Wake Forest, scoring a team-high 17 points on 7-of-7 shooting. That kind of efficiency in the paint is exactly what Louisville needs to keep defenses honest.
Building Toward March
With this new approach, the Cardinals are not just winning - they’re evolving. Over the past four games, they’re averaging 39 points in the paint per contest.
That’s a significant development for a team that’s often lived and died by the three. The inside-out balance is making them tougher to defend and more resilient when the outside shots aren’t falling.
Bracketologists have taken notice. In the latest ESPN projection, Louisville is slotted as a six seed, but there’s plenty of room to climb.
If they can keep this trend going - blending their perimeter shooting with consistent interior scoring - they’re going to be a tough out in March. And yes, a Final Four run isn’t out of the question.
This team still needs to hit threes - that’s baked into their DNA. But the more they attack the paint, the more open looks they’ll generate from deep.
It’s a simple formula, but one that’s proving highly effective. The Cardinals are finding their rhythm, and if they keep this up, they’re going to be a serious problem for anyone standing in their way.