Buffalo, NY - March Madness Update
Pat Kelsey, fresh off his first NCAA Tournament win as a head coach, is keeping his focus sharp as Louisville basketball eyes a return to the Sweet 16 for the first time in over a decade. "It's not the destination, it's the journey," Kelsey emphasized, capturing the spirit that fuels his team.
Today, the sixth-seeded Cardinals face a formidable challenge against No. 3-seed Michigan State at KeyBank Center. The stakes are high, with a spot in the next weekend of March Madness on the line. Tipoff is set for approximately 2:45 p.m.
The victor will advance to the East Regional, kicking off March 27 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., against either No. 2 UConn or No. 7 UCLA.
Louisville's recent triumph over No. 11 South Florida, an 83-79 victory, marked their first Big Dance win since 2017. Despite leading by as many as 23 points, the Cardinals had to fend off a late rally from the Bulls.
Coach Kelsey praised his team's resilience: "We have a bunch of guys who had the resolve and the wherewithal and the toughness to figure out a way to advance in this tournament."
Tom Izzo’s Spartans bring their own toughness, fresh from a dominant 92-67 win over No. 14 North Dakota State. They’re led by standout point guard Jeremy Fears Jr., a second-team All-American averaging 15.4 points and a Division I-leading 9.2 assists per game.
Louisville faces this challenge without their star point guard, Mikel Brown Jr., who remains sidelined with a back injury.
The Cardinals haven't squared off against Michigan State since a 73-64 loss in December 2021. Their last NCAA Tournament clash was an unforgettable Elite Eight overtime battle in 2015, also won by the Spartans, 76-70.
Viewing Information
Catch Louisville vs. Michigan State on CBS, or stream it via the NCAA March Madness Live app and Fubo, which offers a free trial. Brian Anderson, Jim Jackson, and Allie LaForce will be providing commentary.
Radio Coverage
Tune in to the Cardinal Sports Network (WLCL 93.9-FM and WGTK 970-AM in Louisville) for live radio coverage with Paul Rogers and Bob Valvano.
Odds and Predictions
According to BetMGM, Louisville is predicted to face a tough battle. KenPom.com gives the Cardinals a 41% chance of victory, projecting a narrow 77-75 win for Michigan State. BartTorvik.com echoes this sentiment with a similar prediction.
Engage with Us
Got questions about Louisville basketball? We’re here to listen! Reach out via email or on X (formerly Twitter) to @brooksHolton.
Louisville Roster Highlights
- Mikel Brown Jr. (guard, freshman)
- Mouhamed Camara (forward, freshman)
- Ryan Conwell (guard, senior)
- Sananda Fru (forward/center, junior)
- J'Vonne Hadley (guard, sixth year)
- Aly Khalifa (center, redshirt senior)
- Isaac McKneely (guard, senior)
Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament progresses.