J’Vonne Hadley’s status is up in the air heading into Louisville’s matchup with Notre Dame on Wednesday night, as the veteran forward was downgraded from probable to a game-time decision due to a back injury. It’s a tough break for a Cardinals team that, for a brief moment, finally had its full roster available.
Just last weekend, Louisville had every scholarship player suited up in a win over SMU - something that hadn’t happened since mid-December when they knocked off Memphis at the Yum! Center.
But the injury bug didn’t stay away for long. According to an ACC report released two hours before tipoff, Hadley’s availability is now uncertain.
Hadley has been a key piece for Louisville since transferring in from Colorado ahead of the 2024-25 season. The sixth-year senior brings versatility and experience, and he’s been a steady presence on the court.
At 6-foot-7, the St. Paul, Minnesota native has played in all but one game this season, carving out a valuable role as a two-way contributor.
Statistically, he’s been one of the Cardinals’ most reliable players - fourth on the team in scoring at 10.8 points per game while shooting an efficient 54% from the field and nearly 40% from beyond the arc. He’s also second in rebounding (5.3 per game), second in steals (1.1), and adds 1.8 assists in just under 28 minutes per contest. That’s the kind of all-around production that doesn’t just show up in the box score - it helps shape the identity of a team.
For Louisville, ranked No. 23 in the country and sitting at 15-6 overall (5-4 in the ACC), every game matters as they try to solidify their position in the conference and build momentum heading into the back half of the season. Notre Dame, meanwhile, comes in at 11-11 (2-7 ACC), looking to play spoiler.
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Wes Durham and Dennis Scott will be on the call. Fans with a cable subscription can stream the action via ESPN.com or the ESPN app.
For those without cable, Fubo is offering a free trial for streaming access.
After Wednesday’s home tilt, Louisville will head back on the road for a Saturday showdown against Wake Forest, tipping off at noon. Whether or not Hadley will be available for that game remains to be seen - but his presence, or absence, could loom large in the days ahead.