Ryan Conwell had a challenging start in the NCAA Tournament opener against South Florida, shooting just 1-for-8 in the first half. But like a true competitor, he bounced back, finishing with an impressive 18 points, six assists, and four rebounds, leading the Cardinals to victory over the Bulls in Buffalo. Up next, Conwell faces a formidable opponent in Michigan State's All-American guard Jeremy Fears Jr.
Standing at 6-foot-2, Fears is a powerhouse, averaging 15.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. The Cardinals are set to clash with the Spartans at 2:45 p.m. on Saturday.
Fears is a sharpshooter, hitting 44.5 percent from the field and 35 percent from beyond the arc. U of L coach Pat Kelsey acknowledged the challenge of guarding Fears, saying, "He's one of the best point guards in the country.
With 300 assists this year, he's almost averaging 10 a game. Their team synergy is impressive, given how long they've played together.
Fears excels in transition and the pick-and-roll, and he puts a lot of pressure on defenses."
Kelsey also praised Conwell, describing him as "a tough, tough, tough kid and a tough competitor." He shared insights from Josh Schertz, a friend and coach at Saint Louis, who previously coached Conwell at Indiana State.
Schertz lauded Conwell's character, work ethic, and toughness. Sean Miller, who coached Conwell at Xavier, echoed this sentiment, highlighting Conwell's consistency and competitive spirit.
THE SERIES
Louisville and Michigan State are set to meet for the 13th time, with the series tied at 6-6. The Cardinals hold a 3-2 advantage on neutral courts.
Their history is rich with NCAA Tournament clashes, including four memorable Big Dance matchups. Notably, since tournament seeding began, the lower seed has consistently upset the higher seed in their meetings.
In 2015, Michigan State upset Louisville in the regional final, while in 2012, Louisville toppled the No. 1 seed Spartans in the regional semifinal.
A FEW NUGGETS
- Louisville ranks ninth with 17 Sweet 16 appearances since 1975, despite vacated appearances in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.
- The Cardinals boast a 4-1 record against No. 3 seeds in the NCAA tourney, last facing a No. 3 seed in 2007 against Texas A&M.
- As a No. 6 seed, Louisville holds a 7-3 all-time record.
- Their overall NCAA Tournament record stands at 61-42, excluding a 15-3 record vacated by the NCAA Committee on Infractions.
Pat Kelsey on Michigan State:
"They're incredibly talented, like Noah's ark with two of everything. They're well-coached, and preparing for them is a challenge.
Even with five days, you'd be pressed for time. We need to focus on the essentials and execute our game plan.
Our guys are locked in, and now it's about going out there and doing our best."