The Louisville Cardinals have endured a grueling schedule this season, with all five of their losses coming against teams now ranked in the AP Top 25. These losses came against No. 1 Tennessee (14-0), No. 4 Duke (12-2), No. 10 Kentucky (12-2), No. 12 Oklahoma (13-1), and No. 24 Ole Miss (12-2). Combined, these teams boast an impressive 63-7 record as of January 6, underscoring the strength of Louisville’s early-season challenges.
The Cardinals faced five ranked opponents before the New Year, earning them the 12th-best strength of schedule in the nation according to KenPom. Despite the tough competition, Louisville has shown flashes of brilliance and maintained a high-powered offense. As of January 6, the Cardinals rank eighth nationally in 3-point attempts per game (31.1), 52nd in free throw attempts per game (23.1), and 54th in free throws made per game (16.7).
Individually, Louisville players have also made their mark. Senior guard Chucky Hepburn has been a standout on both ends of the court. He’s currently 14th in the nation in steals per game (2.53) and 10th in total steals (38). Hepburn tied the program record for free throws made in a single game with 16 against North Carolina on January 1, while also showcasing his playmaking skills with eight assists against Florida State on December 21.
Sophomore forward James Scott has emerged as a dominant inside presence, ranking seventh in the nation with 30 dunks this season, leading the ACC in that category. Meanwhile, senior guard Reyne Smith has been lethal from beyond the arc, ranking fourth in total 3-pointers made (53), fifth in total attempts (138), and ninth in 3-pointers per game (3.53). Smith earned ACC Player of the Week honors on December 23 for his 27-point performance against Florida State, marking just the third time in Louisville’s 11 years in the ACC that multiple players have earned the weekly award in the same season. Hepburn received the same honor earlier on December 2.
Louisville’s defining win this season came in their dominant 89-61 victory over No. 14/15 Indiana in the Battle 4 Atlantis quarterfinals. This was the Cardinals’ first victory over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 19/20 Virginia Tech on January 6, 2021, and their highest-ranked win since topping No. 3 Duke on January 18, 2020. Hepburn led the way against Indiana with a stat-stuffing performance of 16 points, 10 assists, and seven steals, making him the first Division I player to hit those marks since Markquis Nowell of Kansas State achieved it on December 31, 2022.
With their challenging schedule behind them, Louisville looks poised to capitalize on their growth and individual standout performances as they aim to make a strong push in ACC play. The Cardinals’ resilience and talent suggest that their best basketball is still ahead.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Louisville Cardinals 10-5 (3-1 ACC) vs Clemson Tigers 12-3 (4-0 ACC): Statistical Breakdown
When we look at this game, we’re seeing two teams with distinctly different approaches to the game. Let’s break down what the numbers tell us about this matchup.
The most glaring difference comes in shooting efficiency. Clemson has been the more precise team, hitting 46.4% from the field compared to Louisville’s 43%. But it’s from beyond the arc where this gap really widens – Clemson is knocking down 38% of their threes, while Louisville has struggled, connecting on just 29.8% of their attempts.
Here’s where it gets interesting: despite their shooting struggles, Louisville isn’t shy about letting it fly. They’re launching over 31 three-pointers per game – one of the highest rates in the nation. Clemson, meanwhile, is more selective, attempting about 23 per game but making them count.
At the charity stripe, Clemson has shown remarkable consistency, hitting 78.2% of their free throws – among the best in their conference. Louisville, while not as efficient at 72.3%, gets to the line significantly more often – attempting 23 free throws per game compared to Clemson’s 18.
Louisville makes up for some of their shooting inefficiency on the glass. They’re pulling down nearly 39 rebounds per game, with a particularly strong presence on the offensive boards at almost 13 per game. Their plus-5.4 rebound margin shows just how effective they’ve been at creating second chances.
When it comes to taking care of the basketball, Clemson has the clear advantage. Their assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.36 tops Louisville’s 1.15, and they’re committing one less turnover a game. They’re also more disruptive defensively, averaging nearly 8 steals per game.
Speaking of defense, Clemson has been the stingier team, allowing 66.9 points per game to Louisville’s 70.1. Both teams are holding opponents to similar shooting percentages, but Clemson’s ability to force turnovers has been a difference-maker.
One significant advantage for Louisville comes from their depth. Their bench is contributing over 26 points per game – ranking among the top 100 nationally – while Clemson’s reserves average just 18 points.
This matchup ultimately comes down to contrasting strengths: Louisville’s volume shooting and rebounding prowess against Clemson’s efficiency and ball security. The Cards will need to either improve their shooting percentage or dominate the offensive glass to overcome Clemson’s more precise approach. Meanwhile, Clemson must prevent Louisville from controlling the pace and creating extra possessions through offensive rebounds.
In a game of contrasting styles, whichever team can impose their preferred tempo while disrupting their opponent’s strengths will likely come out on top.
GAME 16
Listen: Cardinal Sports Network (WLCL 93.9 FM & WGTK 970 AM)
Streaming (Paul Rogers, pxp | Bob Valvano, analysis)
Watch: ESPNU (Matt Schumacker, pxp | Debbie Antonelli, analysis)
