Louisville basketball just sent a message to the rest of the ACC - and maybe even the country - with a 41-point dismantling of NC State. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement.
The Cardinals were electric from start to finish, and the duo of Mikel Brown Jr. and Ryan Conwell looked flat-out unguardable. Together, they poured in 76 points, showcasing the kind of offensive firepower that turns heads in February and makes Selection Sunday that much more interesting.
With just eight games left in the regular season, every possession is starting to matter a little more. Louisville still has marquee matchups on the horizon, including battles with North Carolina and Clemson. But if their performance against the Wolfpack is any indication, the Cardinals are starting to hit their stride at just the right time.
According to the latest Bracketology projections, Louisville is currently slotted as a No. 6 seed, set to face Santa Clara in the opening round. Should they advance, a potential Round of 32 clash with No. 3 seed Kansas looms - and that’s where things get really interesting.
These two teams already have some history this season. Back in October, they squared off in a high-profile exhibition that felt more like a March showdown than a preseason tune-up.
Both squads were ranked in the AP Top 20, both featured future NBA lottery picks, and both came into the game with something to prove. Kansas came out on top in that one, 90-82, behind a dominant performance from Darryn Peterson - a projected top-five pick in the upcoming 2026 NBA Draft.
Peterson was electric in that game. In just 25 minutes, he dropped 26 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including 6-of-10 from deep.
He also chipped in five steals, four boards, and a pair of assists. It was a glimpse of just how impactful he could be this season - and a big reason Kansas led by 16 at halftime.
Brown, on the other hand, had a rough night. He finished with just 10 points on 2-of-15 shooting, including 2-of-10 from beyond the arc. It was far from the version of Brown we’ve seen lately - the one who just torched NC State for 45 points and has been consistently rising to the occasion against big-time opponents.
Since that October matchup, Brown has made noticeable strides. He’s dropped 29 on Kentucky, 22 on Arkansas, and now this 45-point explosion against the Wolfpack.
He’s not just scoring - he’s taking over games. Meanwhile, Peterson has battled through injuries that have limited his availability and rhythm.
If the bracket holds and Louisville does get a shot at Kansas in the second round, it could be a defining moment for Brown. It’s a chance to flip the script, to go head-to-head with one of college basketball’s elite talents and prove he can lead his team past them when it counts most.
And if the Cardinals manage to get through the Jayhawks? Things don’t get any easier.
Waiting on the other side of the bracket could be Duke - the region’s No. 1 seed. That’s another potential revenge game for Brown, who struggled mightily in their last meeting, scoring just seven points on 1-of-13 shooting in a 31-point loss.
That kind of performance sticks with a player, especially one as competitive as Brown.
This Louisville team is chasing more than just a tournament win - they’re chasing history. The program hasn’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 2017, when Donovan Mitchell led them to the Round of 32. And while the 2013 national title run technically no longer exists in the NCAA record books, that Final Four still lives in the hearts of Louisville fans.
The win over NC State showed just how high this team’s ceiling is when everything clicks. If Brown keeps playing like a star and Conwell continues to thrive as a lethal second option, Louisville has the pieces to make a serious run. They’ve got the talent, the motivation, and now, the momentum.
March is coming. And Louisville looks like they’re ready to make some noise.