In a nail-biting showdown, Louisville basketball edged past SMU 62-58, thanks to Ryan Conwell's clutch performance. This victory propels the Cardinals into a face-off against the Miami Hurricanes, a team they narrowly defeated 92-89 just five days ago.
As Louisville gears up for its second consecutive ACC Tournament semifinal appearance, there's a clear focus: improving their 3-point shooting. Beating a team twice in a season is no small feat, and with Miami enjoying an extra day of rest, they'll be eager to avenge Saturday's loss. For Louisville, dialing in from beyond the arc will be crucial.
The Cardinals' 3-point game needs a boost
It's safe to say that few expected Louisville to come out on top against SMU with a 23 percent success rate from 3-point land. Yet, they dug deep and secured the win.
However, Miami presents a tougher challenge, particularly given their struggles defending the perimeter. In their seven losses this season, opponents have torched the Hurricanes with a 46 percent shooting average from downtown.
Louisville themselves hit 50 percent of their 3s in last Saturday’s encounter.
Living and dying by the 3-pointer is a hallmark of the Cardinals, who attempt around 32 per game. Their 6-of-26 showing against SMU highlights a clear area for improvement as they prepare for Miami.
The strategy is straightforward: shoot well from beyond the arc. Miami will be coming in hot, looking to settle the score, so expect a game charged with intensity. Last Saturday, Ryan Conwell was instrumental, hitting 4-of-9 from deep, with contributions from J’Vonne Hadley, Isaac McKneely, and Adrian Wooley, whose game-winning stepback sealed the deal.
This afternoon’s clash won’t be a walk in the park, but if Louisville can replicate their 12-of-24 shooting performance from last Saturday, they’ll be in good shape. On the flip side, a repeat of their 6-of-26 effort could spell trouble.