Louisville Heads West to Open ACC Play Against Red-Hot Cal
The calendar may still say December, but for No. 16 Louisville, the real season begins now. The Cardinals are kicking off ACC play with a tough two-game road swing in California, starting Tuesday night in Berkeley against a surging Cal squad that’s off to its best start in over six decades.
This isn’t just a cross-country flight-it’s a full-on test of focus, preparation, and resilience. But head coach Pat Kelsey isn’t sweating the travel or the time zone change. His approach is steady, no matter the setting.
“It could’ve been a short flight or a five-hour one-it just happens to be five hours,” Kelsey said Monday. “We never make excuses or give explanations in our program. Whether we’re playing in Berkeley or on the surface of the moon, it’s the next challenge, and we prepare the same way.”
Tip-Off Details
📍 Location: Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, Calif.
🕘 Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
📺 TV: ACC Network (Chris Sylvester, Ben Braun)
📻 Radio: Louisville Radio Network (93.9 FM) | Paul Rogers, Bob Valvano
Series Snapshot
This will be just the third meeting between Louisville and Cal, with the series tied at 1-1. Notably, the Cardinals have never played in Berkeley before, so Tuesday night marks their first trip to Cal’s home floor.
What to Watch For: Cal’s Momentum Is Real
Cal enters this one at 12-1, riding a nine-game win streak-their longest since the 2008-09 season. That record isn’t just impressive; it’s historic.
This is the Bears’ best start since the 1959-60 campaign, when they went 28-1 and reached the national title game. They’re not ranked in the AP or Coaches polls yet, but they’re knocking on the door, receiving votes in both.
Statistically, Cal sits at No. 48 in the NCAA’s NET rankings and checks in at No. 60 in KenPom. Don’t let the lack of a number next to their name fool you-this is a team that can play.
Louisville’s Identity: Defense, Dunking, and Closing Games
The Cardinals are 13-1 and come into the matchup ranked No. 16 in the AP Poll, No. 13 in the Coaches Poll, and top-20 across the major analytics sites (NET: 17, KenPom: 13, Torvik: 14). But beyond the rankings, Louisville has carved out a clear identity under Kelsey.
Start with the defense and intensity. When Louisville has a lead late, they don’t give it away.
In fact, they’re a perfect 37-0 under Kelsey when leading with five minutes to play. That’s not just a stat-it’s a mindset.
Offensively, the Cardinals are putting on a show above the rim. They’ve thrown down 52 dunks so far this season, with Sananda Fru leading the way with 27. That kind of athleticism and aggression has helped them notch four wins by 40 points or more-one of only five Division I teams to do so, alongside programs like Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky, and High Point.
What’s at Stake
This game isn’t just about conference standings-it’s a chance for Louisville to prove it can take its game on the road and handle adversity. For Cal, it’s an opportunity to make a national statement and show that their hot start is no fluke.
Two teams with momentum. One cross-country clash. And the kind of early-conference matchup that could set the tone for the rest of the season.
Buckle up.