Bruce Pearl reacts to Louisville becoming the eighth seed in a potential Round of 32 game

Louisville’s ranking as No. 8 was a major narrative on Selection Sunday. This affects both the Cardinals and the Tigers, who are the top seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Following the field’s publication, Bruce Pearl talked to the media and hinted to a potential Round of 32 game between No. 1 Auburn and No. 8 Louisville. He credited their squad for the program’s rebirth in the first year under Pat Kelsey.

“In the next round, if we’re able to advance to the second game because, obviously, right now, there are five teams vying to advance – the two teams I already mentioned and then, of course, Creighton and Louisville,” commented Pearl. “Pat Kelsey is the coach at Louisville.” He might win the National Coach of the Year honour. Louisville ended in the bottom last year, was predicted to finish at the bottom this year, and what an incredible comeback. Pat Kelsey is one of the greatest young coaches in our game.”

Louisville was a top-performing ACC club, finishing 27-7 overall. The Cardinals have won 21 of their previous 23 games, including a defeat to Duke in the ACC Championship last weekend. As a result, they were expected to rank substantially higher in the field’s seeding. Instead, they ended as the highest among the No. 8 seeds, at 29th overall.

“Most of the stuff that we’d seen had them at the six or seven-line and, um, so, somehow they got bumped down to eight,” says Pearl. “You know, we’ve got to play great teams, um, no matter where we have to play them.”

Again, this could be a complaint for either Auburn or Louisville. To escape the favourable matches in the first two games, the Cardinals must believe they deserved a higher seed. The Tigers may make the same case against the Cardinals, especially given their regional will give them what seems to be a home-court advantage in Lexington.

In 21 years as a head coach, Bruce Pearl has led two-thirds of his teams to March Madness. For the first time in his career, he holds both a No. 1 seed and the No. 1 overall seed from the South Region for the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

In response to Auburn’s pick on Sunday, Pearl attributed their success to their schedule this season. Some of it just worked out in terms of who they played, but they also matched them with a non-conference that, in all, included a slate that featured all of the other No. 1 seeds, two of the No. 2 seeds, No. 3 seeds, and No. 4 seeds, as well as ten other teams who reached the field.

“Yeah, give Mike Burgomaster credit for putting up such an ambitious timetable. It’s unclear how he worked out the connection between Houston and Duke. This was the ACC-SEC clash. “I can’t give credit to Florida because they’re in our league,” Pearl stated.

“We may say our aim is to win the national title. Pearl stated that if they do not win the national title, they will be unhappy as the top seed. “We understand that, well, it’s been a long time since we played Houston and Duke. Which means that teams have improved. We will find out. And then, of course, we recognise that, which I’ve been saying for a long time. Florida, in my opinion, is now playing the greatest basketball in the country.”

Auburn played in a record-setting SEC conference with 14 NCAA Tournament teams. The Tigers were the league’s best team, with a 16-4 overall record versus Southeastern Conference opponents. Duke participated in the ACC-SEC Challenge, while Iowa State, North Carolina, and Memphis competed in the Maui Invitational. They did schedule Houston and Purdue.

Louisville’s Pat Kelsey is ‘hurt’ by the Cardinals’ NCAA Tournament placing and feels insulted

The Louisville Cardinals are possibly the most shocking team in college basketball this season. Pat Kelsey, first-year head coach, swiftly added 12 new players through the transfer portal after inheriting a team with only one player.

Impact players such Chucky Hepburn, Terrence Edwards Jr., Reyne Smith, Noah Waterman, J’Vonne Hadley, and James Scott have radically transformed the program. In his first season as Louisville’s head coach, Kelsey was voted ACC Coach of the Year and led the team to their first ACC Championship trip.

With a 27-7 record, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi predicted the Cardinals as a 6-seed, citing their excellent conference tournament performance. However, the selection committee had a different opinion, placing Louisville not just lower in the seeding but also as an 8-seed. The Cardinals’ berth in the ACC Championship might lead to a second-round game with Auburn, the tournament’s top overall seed. Kelsey discussed the team’s seeding and expressed his discontent with the committee’s choice.

Kelsey expressed his excitement about competing in the national tournament on KY Sports Radio. “I’ll be completely honest with you, we’re watching the selection show and when that popped up, it hurt a little bit.”

Kelsey did not hesitate to state that he believed his squad had been insulted in terms of seeding. As of now, the Cardinals are one of the country’s hottest teams entering the NCAA Tournament.

Maybe the seeding reflects Louisville’s absence from the tournament in recent years. Nonetheless, the Cardinals have advanced to the big dance, but their poor seed may result in an early departure in the Round of 64.

Hunter Cookston

Hunter Cookston started his career as a reporter for the Marion Tribune, covering local high school football, basketball, and baseball. His interest in athletics began at the age of four, when he played his first year of teeball. Growing up in Tennessee, he had strong feelings for the Tennessee Volunteers and the Atlanta Braves. Hunter is presently enrolled at Tennessee Wesleyan University, where he is pursuing a BA in Sports Communications/Management.

Crafted for fans since 1886.

Pat Kelsey responds to public outcry about him receiving ACC Coach of the Year over Jon Scheyer

Pat Kelsey led Louisville to a 25-6 overall record and an 18-2 conference record, earning him the ACC Coach of the Year award in his first season. However, there was significant backlash on social media when he received the honour.

Some fans felt their coach should have received the honour over Kelsey, but in the end, the Cardinals’ head coach gained the honour after transforming Louisville into an ACC contender. During the conference tournament earlier this week, Louisville’s head coach spoke out about the topic.

“No. Kelsey remarked, “I don’t pay any attention,” following Louisville’s ACC Tournament quarterfinal triumph on Thursday. “Obviously, there are a lot great coaches in this league, and several of them could have easily earned the honour. My mom emailed me a visual from Duke, but after reading everything, I thought, “Wow, that’s pretty impressive. Maybe he should have won it.”

Kelsey is referring to Duke’s social media release of a graphic highlighting all of the reasons why the head coach, Jon Scheyer, should have been named ACC Coach of the Year. The statistics extended far beyond Duke’s 19-1 record against ACC opponents and its projected No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

However, Kelsey was chosen for the award after taking over a team that had just had two of its worst seasons in recent memory. Kelsey went on to guide Louisville to 18 wins in the ACC alone, establishing his place as conference coach of the year, despite only winning 12 games in both seasons.

“I do not know. These don’t matter. “All that matters is fighting with this team to win a championship,” Kelsey said. “We’re really fortunate to progress; survival and advancement is what they say in tournament play, and we’re lucky to do so.

“I’m excited to find out who we’ll be playing. It’ll be a restless night, but it’ll be pure adrenaline. This is the most enjoyable time of the year. March is collegiate basketball season. College basketball fans all throughout America witnessed a thriller today, and we were lucky to advance.”

Kelsey made these comments after the Cardinals upset Stanford in the quarterfinals. They progressed to the title game against Duke after defeating Clemson 76-73 in the semifinals on Friday. The game between Louisville and Duke will tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be live on ESPN.

How Louisville basketball pulled off an incredible comeback against Stanford at the ACC Tournament

No. 2-seeded Louisville basketball recovered from 15 points down with 14:32 remaining in regulation to defeat Stanford on a game-winning jumper from Chucky Hepburn as time expired in the ACC Tournament.

How did Pat Kelsey’s Cardinals complete the comeback? “Everybody just stayed together and held each other accountable,” Terrence Edwards Jr. explained.

Charlotte, North Carolina — In the locker room, Frank Anselem-Ibe and Khani Rooths were rewinding the last seconds of regulation on an iPhone. Were their eyes fooling them?

“I knew it was cash,” Anselem-Ibe explained.

Louisville basketball advanced to the semifinal stage of the ACC Tournament for the first time since entering in 2014, thanks to Chucky Hepburn’s last-second shot from the left elbow.

The highlight-reel performance closed up the Cardinals’ greatest comeback of the season and earned Hepburn a FaceTime conversation with former University of Louisville standout Donovan Mitchell.

Where does this rank among the senior point guard’s top moments from his college career?

“Top two,” Hepburn said, “and it is not No. 2.”

Louisville will face No. 3 Clemson at the Spectrum Centre on Friday at 9:30 p.m., following their first postseason win in three years. Another victory, and it will face either No. 1 Duke or No. 5 North Carolina in Saturday’s championship game.

Here’s how Pat Kelsey’s Cards made their amazing comeback:

‘I didn’t need to say much’



Kelsey took a timeout with 14:32 remaining in regulation with Louisville on the ropes.

The Cardinals trailed No. 7-seeded Stanford by 15 points, 52-37, despite defeating them by 20 points in the regular-season finale at the KFC Yum! Centre. Hope was in short supply from the outside.

Kelsey told reporters afterward that the Cardinal was the aggressor for the majority of the night, breaking U of L’s string of 20 consecutive games with a halftime lead. The ACC Coach of the Year called the aforementioned stoppage of play with Kyle Smith’s team on an 11-0 run and shooting 3 for 9 from the field after the break.

What would you say in such a situation? With an experienced team like Kelsey’s, it only takes about 30 seconds of what the 49-year-old Cincinnati native refers to as “aggressive counselling.”

“I didn’t have to say much after that,” Kelsey explained. His teammates grabbed it from there—and ran with it.

“Coach always tells us, ‘Stick together; play (our game) for 40 minutes,” Noah Waterman said. “We weren’t worried — even when we were down 15.”

“Nobody argued,” said Terrence Edwards Jr., who scored a game-high 25 points. “Everybody just stayed together and held each other accountable.”

“We just all looked at each other and said that we weren’t going to lose,” Hepburn told the crowd.

What happened next will be widely discussed in Louisville.

“How these guys responded to that adversity was amazing,” Kelsey told me. “I’m very, very, very proud of them.”

First, Edwards halted the bleeding with back-to-back layups. With 12:16 remaining, he knocked down a jumper in the paint, sparking a 16-3 run for the Cards, including baskets from Hepburn, James Scott, and J’Vonne Hadley, to tie the game at 60 with 7:41 on the clock. U of L outscored Stanford 13-5 over the following 5:45, taking its greatest lead of the night, 73-65, into the final 1:56.

“They just started driving us 1-on-1 a little in the middle of the floor,” Smith said; “and we couldn’t quite sustain it.”

That was only the beginning of this wild ride to the finish. Despite playing its second game in as many days, the Cardinal still had one more run in the tank, scoring eight consecutive points to tie with 32 seconds remaining. Its final bucket was a fast-break, and-1 layup after a poor pass from Hepburn, prompting Kelsey to call another timeout and set up for the final possession.

‘Pop-A-Shot’

Two Stanford defenders leaped Hepburn once and again as he dribbled the ball past midcourt. According to Edwards, this removed Louisville from the set it planned to run.

With 5.1 seconds left, he had the ball in his hands at the top of the key and launched a step-back, double-clutch 3-pointer over a leaping Oziyah Sellers. Scott’s comments came to mind at the time: “Put it on the rim; I got you.”

“I thought his shot was going to go in; I’m going to be honest,” Waterman told reporters. “I believe (in) everybody on the team, so I thought it was a buck.”

The shot that sent @LouisvilleMBB to it’s first-ever ACC Tournament Semifinals. pic.twitter.com/gCeeB9vj69

— ACC Men’s Basketball (@accmbb) March 14, 2025

It was not. The ball struck the rim, then the backboard, and briefly rested in Chisom Okpara’s hands with 2.9 seconds remaining. Smith stated that he attempted to call a timeout while his side was in control, but Scott knocked the ball loose, allowing Hepburn to recover near the left elbow with ample of room to shoot before the buzzer.

“I was just at the perfect spot at the perfect time,” Hepburn added.

“It was just like Pop-A-Shot,” Kelsey explained. “I don’t even think he jumped.”

Hepburn wasn’t thinking about the turnover he made on the possession before this one.

“If it’s still on my mind,” he said, “I probably don’t even hit that shot.”

Swish. Comeback is complete. Pandemonium. Another epic event for the guy who kissed the Dunking Cardinal emblem before leaving the Yum! Centre last weekend. According to statistician Kelly Dickey, this is Louisville’s first game-winning shot at the buzzer in the tournament since Scooter McCray’s tip-in against Arkansas on March 24, 1983, which set up the “Dream Game” vs archival Kentucky.

See you Friday night.

“Hopefully there’s more luck in the genie bottle,” Kelsey was saying.

UofL’s Pat Kelsey wins ACC Coach of the Year, Hepburn earns defensive accolades

Louisville, Kentucky —

Pat Kelsey, the Cardinals’ first-year head basketball coach, has been voted the ACC Coach of the Year.

The No. 13 Cardinals and Kelsey ended the regular season with a victory against Stanford this weekend. This improved UofL’s record to 25-6 heading into the ACC Tournament as the No. 2 seed.

Kelsey’s accomplishments in year one included leading the Cardinals to the final game of the Baha Mar Hoops Tournament early in the season and finishing on a nine-game winning run.

Kelsey’s strong finish helped the Cardinals tie for second place in the ACC.

Kelsey garnered 47 votes, outperforming Duke’s Jon Scheyer, who received 27. He is the first Louisville coach to collect the league award since Rick Pitino was awarded CUSA Coach of the Year in 2005.

In addition to Kelsey’s ACC honour, guard Chucky Hepburn was voted ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Hepburn is the first Cardinal to earn this honour. He was also selected for the All-ACC First Team.

Terrence Edwards, a guard, was chosen to the All-ACC Third Team.

If history holds true, Pat Kelsey and Louisville basketball have already won the ACC title

Pat Kelsey & Louisville Basketball is a championship formula in the works.

Pat Kelsey, the head coach of the Louisville men’s basketball team, has had a significant impact on the schools he has led. He appears to have wasted little time, as early indicators of his stay at Louisville indicate that the Cardinals’ first-year head coach is quickly converting the program into something remarkable.

Louisville’s season may still have one game left in the regular season, but Kelsey’s track record suggests that the Cardinals will rise to the No.1 seed in the ACC, and being crowned ACC Tournament winners is not only plausible, but quite likely.

With Kelsey in command, the program is in strong hands, and if his extended winning runs are any indication, it may only be a matter of time before the Cardinals lift an ACC championship trophy.

Pat Kelsey & Louisville Basketball is a championship formula in the works.

Pat Kelsey has had an instant impact on the Louisville basketball program, which finished last in the ACC last season with an ugly 3-17 record in league play and 8-24 overall. After starting 6-5, the Cardinals won 10 consecutive games before losing to Georgia Tech. They have since won eight more, bringing their total to 24-6 and 18 of their last 19.

Louisville basketball’s overwhelming victory run appears to be a trend Pat Kelsey has followed throughout his coaching tenure. Kelsey’s track records suggest that extended victory streaks have been a hallmark of his teams, and history shows that those runs typically result in championships.

Prior to joining UofL, Kelsey was the head coach at Charleston and Winthrop, where he established a winning culture and drastically transformed those programs.

In Kelsey’s second season at Charleston, the Cougars went 31-4, capturing the program’s first CAA title since 2008. Kelsey led the Cougars to a 20-game winning streak and landed Charleston in the top 25 for the first time in years.

Pat Kelsey also guided the Winthrop Eagles to a 23-2 record, including a school-record 21-game winning streak, a Big South tournament championship, and an NCAA Tournament appearance.

Kelsey was charged with a similar scenario with the Louisville Cardinals program, as UofL was considered floundering in previous years. However, Kelsey’s winning 18 of 19 games and establishing two major win streaks may be a premonition that the Cardinals are on track to earn the ACC regular season title.

Pat Kelsey’s history indicates that when his team has extended winning streaks, he frequently brings hardware to the program. The Cardinals have never won an ACC Tournament crown, and Kelsey’s victory run suggests he wants to put his name in the program’s history once more.

The Cardinals face Stanford at home, while Duke travels to UNC tomorrow night to face the Tar Heels.

The Cardinals’ winning streak at Louisville is more than simply luck; it demonstrates the program’s success. History implies that Kelsey and the Cardinals’ victory run has them set up for a ring ceremony. Cardinals supporters, gather your popcorn because this team’s sky is the limit.

Reyne Smith talks on his friendship with Pat Kelsey ahead of Louisville basketball’s senior day

Louisville basketball sharpshooter Reyne Smith, the only player on the squad who has spent all four years under coach Pat Kelsey, will have an emotional senior day.

Smith, who is from Tasmania, has always had a talent for shooting the ball. Kelsey has helped him become perhaps the greatest in Division I this season.

This is the narrative of Smith falling in love with the game, meeting Kelsey, and forming a friendship that will endure their entire lives.

Pat Kelsey’s pause revealed more about his connection with Reyne Smith than the accolades the Louisville basketball coach bestowed upon the Australian player.

“He’s a winner,” Kelsey told reporters during the Cardinals’ season-opening exhibition against Young Harris College in October. “Sometimes, people mistake him for what Skip Prosser used to call’suburban jump shooters.'” That is not Reyne.

“That’s his deal — and he shoots the blood out of the ball — yet he’s tough as nails and appears on every single scouting report. He is always precisely where he is supposed to be. It’s almost like having another assistant coach because he understands what we do and how to execute it so effectively. He’s a selfless guy who puts the team first.”

Then comes the pause. Perhaps Kelsey was reminded of the day Smith committed to play for him at Winthrop, when he jumped into the pool at his Rock Hill, South Carolina, home after getting the news. Perhaps it was a realisation of how much time had gone — or that concentrating solely on the next item in front of him would not avert the inevitable.

“It’s a shame I only get to coach him for one more year,” he told me. “Because he’s a joy.”

With a crowded senior day versus Stanford at the KFC Yum! Centre on Saturday, Kelsey is likely to say the same thing about players on his debut U of L roster. Smith’s family travels from Tasmania to accompany him to Denny Crum Court, which will have a different impact.

“He’s like a son to me,” Kelsey said after a Feb. 16 win against Notre Dame. Smith became only the third player in school history to hit 100 shots from beyond the arc in a season.

“It’s hard to put into words,” Smith told The Courier Journal later that night. “It’s starting to feel a little more real: It’s coming to the end.”

Smith, of course, is the only Card who has spent his whole four-year college career with Kelsey and his crew. He was the first to transfer in last March, only hours after the coach named his renovation “The ReviVILLE” on X, previously Twitter. All he’s done since then is improve his skills and become a fan favourite, making umbrella hats a must-have accessory in the student section.

“It’s kind of emotional to see the success he’s had this year; because he came with me from Charleston,” Kelsey elaborated. “He’s better here than he was there—and he was really excellent there. It’s absolutely amazing to see, and it’s a credit to hard effort.”

This is the story of Smith discovering basketball, his shot, Kelsey, and a second family.

He’s always been able to shoot it.

During an interview on The C.L. Brown Show in January, Smith revealed that he began playing Australian rules football as a child in Ulverstone. He started playing basketball in first grade and remained with it because of the individuals it made him close to.

A wise decision; by his early teens, he was competing in a national championship competition. His coach was Louisville assistant Michael Cassidy, a fellow countryman who is new to coaching.

“I should find a photo,” Cassidy told The Courier Journal last summer. “The guy is tiny and little, but he’s always been able to shoot it.

“We’ve always joked about how we can’t stay away from one other. It’s been like four separate programs.”

When Smith placed second in made 3-pointers during the week-long contest, he decided to dedicate himself to the sport in the hopes of one day being Australia’s best marksman. He spent a lot of time on YouTube, namely viewing a Sports Science video on Klay Thompson’s jumper, and worked hard in the gym.

 

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A post shared by Reyne Smith (@_reynesmith)

Smith informed Paul Rogers of the Cardinal Sports Network that he was confidence in his ability to shoot the ball after setting the Cardinals’ single-game record of 10 three-pointers against SMU on January 21. “I work way too hard to even think twice about my shot.”

“There are very few people I’ve ever coached,” she added, “who are as invested in their game as he is.”

Cassidy eventually came knocking with an invitation to play for the elite Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. It was founded in 1981 to improve the country’s prospects of winning an Olympic medal, and it has produced basketball players like Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills.

Smith was determined to advance his game to Division I level, so this was a no-brainer; he moved away from home at the age of 17. Since then, the distance has only increased.

“My mom’s like my biggest fan and wants me to chase my dreams,” she remarked. “She hates seeing me leave; but she knows that this is something I love to do.”

‘Comfortable’

Kelsey had success recruiting at the Australian Institute of Sport (Xavier Cooks) before to Smith’s arrival, developing contacts with coaches along the way. When the young guard began to build a reputation for himself, they contacted the Cincinnati native on his behalf.

“I’ve always loved watching Reyne play,” said Washington Wizards assistant Adam Caporn, who was the senior teacher at the institute’s Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence while Smith and Cassidy were there. “(He) can play anywhere and help a team anywhere with that level of shooting and toughness.”

Kelsey offered Smith two things if he committed to Winthrop. The first was that, in accordance with Australian customs, he would not have to address him as coach. The second move was the aforementioned backflip into his pool.

“I didn’t think anything of it,” Smith said. “When I called him to say I was committing, I kind of forgot about it.”

Kelsey then raced outside, flipped his phone camera around, and asked his son, Johnny, to record him diving into the lake while wearing his clothing.

“I’m like, ‘Oh my God,'” Smith explained. “Coaches with so much enthusiasm are hard to come by in Australia. “It was quite funny.”

 

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A post shared by Reyne Smith (@_reynesmith)

Kelsey have great expectations for Smith. When his signing became official, the coach stated, “I don’t want to put too much pressure on him; but I believe he could be Winthrop’s next great Australian.” However, that never materialised. Instead, he followed him and Cassidy to Charleston, where he broke the program record for most 3-pointers made in a game twice as a junior, finishing with 1,212 career points on 37% shooting from distance.

Smith praised Kelsey and his team for making him feel at ease during his adjustment to life in America. That’s one of the reasons he was so eager to join what they were creating in Louisville. Despite receiving offers from other institutions through the NCAA transfer site last spring, he chose not to pursue them.

“Especially during holidays like Thanksgiving (or) Christmas, PK’s always stressing to make sure that I’m OK and I’ve got something going on; and, if not, I can always come to his house,” Smith informed me.

“That’s what’s been so amazing for me: him underlining how welcome I am to come over anytime I want, and a variety of other staff members stating that if I ever need a home-cooked dinner, I can come over. Things like those simply make it feel so much simpler, and you feel a lot more at ease in that setting.”

‘It won’t endure forever.’

Smith, who had lived and breathed Kelsey’s culture for three years, came into the 2024-25 season as an expert at maintaining a forward-thinking attitude. But he was also acutely aware of the wider picture: time was of the essence.

“You kind of go in every day just with a different appreciation,” Smith claimed, “and understanding that it’s not lasting forever.”

Smith, as Kelsey mentioned after the Notre Dame win, had a smooth adjustment from the Coastal Athletic Association to the ACC. Entering March, he was nine 3s away from breaking his career high of 112 from 2023-24 and 19 shy of overtaking Taquan Dean’s 122 from 2004-05 for the top place in the U of L record book.

“His light is neon,” Kelsey explained. “Name a (shade) of green that’s greener than green and he’s got it.”

“When a play gets called for him, and you’re on the end of the screen, you just really want to do your job,” said sophomore forward James Scott, who played with Smith at Charleston before following him to the Cards. “Because you know that, if you do your job and he gets any type of space, he’s going to hit the shot.”

 

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Smith’s 3.71 triples per game stood second in DI entering March and, if he continues at this rate, will be the highest by an ACC player since JJ Redick averaged 3.90 for Duke in 2005-06. He was also on track for the second-best conversion rate from outside the arc of his career, at 38.5%. Then there were his career-best 81 rebounds and career-low 20 turnovers.

“He’s a really good all-around player,” Kelsey explained.

Although he will soon leave Kelsey & Co. behind, Smith’s playing career is far from done. Snipers with his range are likely to find a home in the professional ranks, and he should be called upon to represent Australia in international events, including as the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup. But when the ball stops bouncing, he wants to be a coach. He replied that teaching the game is too much pleasure to give up totally.

“He’s a great leader; he’s unbelievably bright basketball-wise; he’s got a dynamic personality,” Kelsey told me. “I’ll try to talk him out of this ridiculous racket, but what’s in your blood stays in your blood. Typically, you have no control over the situation.”

Kelsey’s regimen is also having an impact on him.

“I’m forever in debt to this staff for what they’ve done for me — for not only my basketball career but also for me as a person; kind of shaping my life so, when I leave the program, I’m not only a better basketball player but also a better man,” Smith said. “They always talk about how proud they are of me, but the feeling’s mutual.”

Brooks Holton, a Louisville men’s basketball reporter, may be reached at bholton@gannett.com and followed on X at @brooksHolton.

 

 

Prediction: Who will win the 2025 NCAA Tournament first round between Louisville and Creighton basketball?

Summary

• No. 8 Louisville will face No. 9 Creighton at 12:15 p.m. Thursday inside Rupp Arena, beginning two days of relentless NCAA Tournament action.
• KenPom predicts a 60% likelihood of Louisville winning the game.

Pat Kelsey’s Louisville basketball team will face a team that has progressed to the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight in three of the last four NCAA Tournaments, as a reward for their strong start.

U of L (27-7), the No. 8 seed in the South region, begins two days of uninterrupted basketball at 12:15 p.m. Thursday (CBS) vs. No. 9 Creighton (24-10) at Lexington’s Rupp Arena—its first taste of March Madness since 2019.

“An explosive team,” Kelsey told Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf on ESPN Radio Sunday night. “A dangerous team — extremely well-coached.”

During Greg McDermott’s 15th season, Creighton ended the regular season with a record of 22-9 overall and 15-5 Big East. The team defeated DePaul and UConn to go to the conference tournament title game at Madison Square Garden, but lost to Hall of Famer Rick Pitino and St. John’s 82-66.

Two years ago, the Bluejays began their run to the Elite Eight as a No. 6 seed. They advanced to the KFC Yum! Centre and lost to No. 5 San Diego State 57-56.

The winner of Thursday’s game will play either Auburn, the tournament’s top seed, or the winner of a No. 16 play-in game between Alabama State and Saint Francis on Saturday. But one thing at a time; here’s a closer look at the Cardinals’ first opponent:

Ryan Kalkbrenner is Creighton’s go-to man.

Ryan Kalkbrenner, a 7-foot-1 unanimous first-team All-Big East pick, leads Creighton in scoring with 19.4 points and a league-best 66.3% shooting rate.

The Florissant, Missouri, native is also the Jays’ leading rebounder (8.8) and leads the Big East in blocks per game with 2.7. In addition, he is the only Division I player with more dunks than Louisville’s James Scott, completing 103 of 111 tries.

Kelsey’s frontcourt has been weak since Kasean Pryor tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in November, making Kalkbrenner a difficult opponent even at full strength.

In the ACC Tournament, U of L faced several excellent bigs, including Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud, Clemson’s Viktor Lakhin and Ian Schieffelin, and Duke’s Khaman Maluach. Over three games at the Spectrum Centre in Charlotte, North Carolina, it was +10 in paint scoring (100-90), +8 in rebounding (108-100), and +14 in second-chance points (36-22).

Creighton’s sharpshooter: Steven Ashworth.

Creighton began the NCAA Tournament shooting 33.9% (321 for 947) from three-point range and limiting opponents to 32.7% (257 for 786). Louisville is at 33% (320 for 970) and 33.7% (267 for 792).

The Cards’ top marksman, Reyne Smith, is expected to return from a damaged right ankle.

As of Sunday morning, senior guard Steven Ashworth leads the Jays with 103 three-pointers on 279 tries, ranking 16th in DI. He is one of McDermott’s four players with a clip of 35% or higher from deep. He also ranks second on the team in scoring with 16.3 points per game and has a top-25 assist rate on KenPom.

U of L’s loss against Duke in the ACC Tournament final game was primarily due to poor 3-point defence and a lack of outside shooting. The Blue Devils finished 10 for 27 (37%) while holding Kelsey’s squad to 7 for 26 (26.9%).

During Smith’s four-game absence, Louisville shot 26/93 (27.9%) from three.

Creighton’s weakness: ‘kill shots’

Evan Miyakawa, founder of EvanMiya.com, released a graphic on X (previously Twitter) on Feb. 19 that analysed DI teams’ susceptibility to “kill shots,” defined as streaks of 10 or more unanswered points adjusted for competition strength.

Creighton was classified as a “suspect team” at the time, since they let up an average of 0.5 more runs per game than they scored. As a result, Miyakawa described the Jays as “never trustworthy.”

Time for a “Kill Shot” graph update! A Kill Shot is any time a team goes on a 10-0 run or better.

The graph shows how many runs a team has per game and how many runs they concede, adjusted for competition 👇 pic.twitter.com/Hm6DDFzxRc

— Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) February 19, 2025

Louisville, on the other hand, was doing considerably better, with values of less than 0.4 and more than 0.6.

To its credit, Creighton has made strides in this area. As of Sunday, with a speed of 68.1 possessions per game, it was averaging 0.62 kill shots (21 total) and 0.44 allowed (15).

With a tempo of 69.8, the Cards were at 0.59 (20) and 0.29 (10).

Louisville versus Creighton Prediction: March Madness Round of 64

According to KenPom, Louisville has a 60% probability of defeating Creighton and is projected to win 75-72. With a noisy “neutral-site” crowd behind it — and a chip on its shoulder after feeling slighted by the selection committee — I’ll take Kelsey’s team to pull out a win, his first in an NCAA Tournament game, in a somewhat lower-scoring battle than the algorithms predict.

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Brooks Holton, a Louisville men’s basketball reporter, may be reached at bholton@gannett.com and followed on X at @brooksHolton.

Coach Pat Kelsey of the University of Louisiana men’s basketball team reacts to Junior Bridgeman’s passing

University of Louisville men’s basketball coach Pat Kelsey expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Junior Bridgeman, a revered figure in Louisville’s history. In a heartfelt statement, Kelsey remarked that Bridgeman was “so much more than a basketball player,” highlighting his brilliance in business and his status as one of Louisville’s greatest citizens. He also noted Bridgeman’s extensive philanthropy, mentioning the countless acts of kindness and generosity he performed anonymously for those in need. Kelsey extended his prayers to Bridgeman’s beloved family during this difficult time.

Junior Bridgeman, who passed away at the age of 71, was not only a legend on the basketball court but also a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. His contributions to the community and his legacy both on and off the court have left an indelible mark on Louisville and beyond.

Louisville Fans Rejoice as Pat Kelsey Leads Remarkable Turnaround in First Year

Louisville, KY – The University of Louisville men’s basketball team has made an incredible resurgence under first-year head coach Pat Kelsey, bringing new life to the program and restoring excitement among Cardinals fans.

A New Era Begins

After two difficult seasons that saw the program struggle with a combined 12-52 record, the Cardinals have found new momentum under Kelsey, who took over the reins in March 2024. With his high-energy coaching style and emphasis on teamwork, Louisville has exceeded expectations, boasting a 20-6 record and a strong standing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

Kelsey’s arrival from the College of Charleston injected a winning mentality into the team, and the results were almost immediate. Louisville opened the season with a dominant 93-45 victory over Morehead State, setting the tone for a campaign filled with statement wins, including an 83-70 triumph over North Carolina in early January.

Transfers Spark Louisville’s Revival

Key to Louisville’s turnaround has been the contributions of transfer players, particularly guard Chucky Hepburn, who has led the team in scoring on multiple occasions. Reyne Smith and Terrence Edwards Jr. have also played crucial roles, providing experience and leadership that have helped propel the Cardinals to a 10-game winning streak, their best in five years.

“The culture here has changed completely,” Hepburn said after the team’s latest victory. “Coach Kelsey expects the best from us every day, and we’ve all bought into it.”

Fans Embrace the Rebuild

Perhaps the most noticeable shift has been the atmosphere at the KFC Yum! Center, where sellout crowds have returned, fueling the team’s confidence. Louisville’s fanbase, known for its passion, has rallied behind Kelsey and his players, embracing the fresh energy and aggressive playing style he has implemented.

Kelsey himself has leaned into the city’s enthusiasm, frequently engaging with students and celebrating wins with emotional postgame interactions.

“This city loves its basketball, and we want to give them a team they can be proud of,” Kelsey stated. “We’re just getting started.”

Looking Ahead

With the postseason fast approaching, Louisville has positioned itself as a legitimate contender for an NCAA Tournament bid—a goal that seemed out of reach just a year ago. As the Cardinals continue to improve, the excitement surrounding the program suggests that Kelsey’s first season is just the beginning of something special in Louisville.

For the fans who endured recent struggles, this season has been a welcome return to form, and the celebration is just getting started.

Pat Kelsey sends a strong three-word fiery message to the Louisville basketball’s team after their Cardinals 14th win…

Pat Kelsey has complete respect and faith in his “25-strong” and is a major reason why the Louisville basketball team has made such a spectacular turnaround.

The Louisville Cardinals made history Saturday afternoon, winning their 14th ACC game this season and 21st overall.

The Cardinals’ 14th win is now the second most ACC regular season wins in school history, and their 21 wins are 13 more than last year’s total, tying their program record for greatest turnaround in two seasons.

The Cardinals are headed by first-year head coach Pat Kelsey, who was just named a finalist for the Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year Watch List. Kelsey has ignited the Louisville basketball program, and in his post-game news conference, he delivered a furious message.

Louisville Cardinals are flying at the perfect time, having won 15 of their previous 16 games and are now on a five-game winning run.

Pat Kelsey is receiving well-deserved media exposure, but when asked what it meant to him to be named a top 15 Coach of the Year, he was humble, but he also delivered a strong message to Cardinals fans that should give them chills.

“Our GA’s, our student managers, our strength coach, our trainer, our scout team point guard, they think, because I believe it, that in order for us to be great, they have to be the best in the country at what they do.” Pat Kelsey spoke about what makes this squad so historic. “It is that mindset, as well as my personnel, and the believe I have in them, the faith I place in them, the work they perform, and the perfection with which they conduct themselves on a daily basis. I feel that if everyone in the organisation acts in this manner, the outcomes will take care of themselves for the most of this year.

Yes, the 13 transfers help, and Chucky Hepburn is a good point guard, but Kelsey’s culture at Louisville is already having an impact on the Cardinals basketball team, as seen by his strong message.

“That is power of the unit.” Kelsey stated. “We’re pretty excellent, and clearly I’m the man at the podium you want to talk to, and they put me on a list or whatever. “It is the power of the unit.” Kelsey remarked as he aggressively tapped the table.

Pat Kelsey may be one of the most modest coaches in collegiate athletics, but his love and concern for his staff and squad is unparalleled. Kelsey has showed support for his whole crew, and he thanked them all again Saturday afternoon, referring to them as “25-strong”.

“It has a strength of 25. The student managers’ position and job, and I know you’re sick of hearing that from me, but it’s just as important, and it’s no more or less important than mine, and it’s everyone in that organisation smiling and doing their job.” Kelsey commented after the Cardinals’ 89-81 win.

Kelsey said numerous times that he desired the Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year Watch List included the entire organisation rather than just his name. It is something Cardinals fans like hearing. It’s unsettling, since Kelsey’s message is a clear reason why they’ve had such a dramatic reversal this season.

“It’s a joke that I’m even on there with some of those names; are you kidding me?” What are their names? I’m not worried about it.” Kelsey remarked, increasing his voice into the microphone. “I offer all of the credit to the organization’s employees who put in their best effort every day, which is why we are successful. Period.”

Pat Kelsey praises not just his players and assistant coaches, but also his whole staff, which includes graduate assistants, student managers, and a scouting squad. One obvious reason for Louisville’s remarkable turnaround is a coach who has complete respect and faith in his “25-strong” squad.

The Cardinals have only four games remaining and are on the verge of making history, as one more win will secure the largest turnaround in club history and tie a program record for most ACC victories in a single season.

Is Pat Kelsey of the University of Louisville the National College Basketball Coach of the Year?

As of February 25, 2025, Pat Kelsey, the head coach of the University of Louisville men’s basketball team, has not been officially named the National College Basketball Coach of the Year. However, his remarkable achievements in his inaugural season have positioned him as a strong contender for this prestigious honor.

A Transformative Season for Louisville Basketball

When Pat Kelsey assumed the head coaching role at Louisville on March 28, 2024, he inherited a program that had faced significant challenges in recent years. The previous season concluded with an 8–24 record, including a dismal 3–17 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play, leading to the dismissal of former head coach Kenny Payne. Kelsey’s appointment marked a new chapter for the Cardinals, bringing hope and a renewed sense of purpose to the team and its supporters.

Under Kelsey’s leadership, the 2024–25 Louisville Cardinals have experienced a dramatic turnaround. The team currently boasts a 21–6 overall record and a 14–2 record in ACC play, a stark contrast to their performance in the prior season. This remarkable improvement has not only revitalized the program but has also garnered national attention, with the Cardinals re-entering the Associated Press Top 25 rankings for the first time since 2021.

Key Factors in Louisville’s Resurgence

Several factors have contributed to Louisville’s impressive performance this season:

1. Strategic Recruitment and Player Development: Kelsey and his coaching staff undertook a comprehensive overhaul of the roster, bringing in 13 new players, including 12 transfers. This strategic recruitment infused the team with experienced talent, fostering a competitive and cohesive unit on the court.
2. Emphasis on Defense and Rebounding: The Cardinals have excelled in defensive play and rebounding, often dominating opponents in these critical aspects of the game. Their defensive prowess has been a cornerstone of their success, limiting opponents’ scoring opportunities and creating offensive transitions.
3. Strong Road Performance: Louisville has demonstrated resilience and composure in away games, securing 11 double-digit road victories, which leads the nation. Their ability to perform under pressure in hostile environments has been a testament to their mental toughness and preparation.

Recognition and Accolades

In light of these accomplishments, Pat Kelsey has been named to the 2025 Werner Ladder Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year Watch List, an honor that highlights his impact and success in transforming the Louisville basketball program.

A Culture of Gratitude and Authenticity

Beyond the tangible improvements in performance, Kelsey has instilled a culture of gratitude and authenticity within the team. This cultural shift has fostered a supportive environment where players are encouraged to be their true selves, both on and off the court. A poignant example of this culture is the team’s support for fifth-year senior Terrence Edwards Jr., who, after witnessing the birth of his son, was met with an outpouring of love and support from his teammates upon rejoining the team for a game against Notre Dame.

Conclusion

While the official announcement of the National College Basketball Coach of the Year is yet to be made, Pat Kelsey’s transformative impact on the University of Louisville’s men’s basketball program has undeniably positioned him as a leading candidate for the honor. His strategic vision, emphasis on core basketball fundamentals, and commitment to fostering a positive team culture have not only revitalized the Cardinals but have also set a new standard of excellence within collegiate basketball.

Louisville basketball coach Pat Kelsey makes the watch list for the Naismith National Coach of the Year Award

Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal

Pat Kelsey, the University of Louisville’s basketball coach, has been selected one of 15 coaches to watch for the Naismith National Coach of the Year Award.

Kelsey guided the Cardinals to a 20-6 record in his debut season as head coach.

Pat Kelsey, a basketball coach at the University of Louisville, has been recognised as one of the top candidates for the Naismith National Coach of the Year Award.

According to a Friday release, Kelsey is one of 15 coaches being nominated for the prize. The previous year’s winner was Dan Hurley, head coach of the University of Connecticut men’s basketball team.

Kelsey took over as head coach of the University of Louisville this season, succeeding Kenny Payne, and has led the team to an overall record of 20-6. In the previous two seasons, the Cardinals won only 12 regular-season games.

University of Louisville Where are former Louisville basketball head coaches and assistants?

The following coaches are also worth watching.

Greg Gard: Wisconsin

Dennis Gates of Missouri

Todd Golden: Florida

Penny Hardaway: Memphis.

Tom Izzo, Michigan State

Dusty May: Michigan

Grant McCasland, Texas Tech

Ben McCollum: Drake

Matt Painter: Purdue

Bruce Pearl, Auburn

Rick Pitino, St. John’s

Richard Pitino, New Mexico

Kelvin Sampson, Houston

Jonathan Scheyer: Duke

Louisville Wins Five Straight Games, Holding Off Florida State

The Cardinals also pull out the regular season sweep over the Seminoles.

Louisville, Kentucky After taking a couple more days off, the Louisville men’s basketball team resumed their play and managed to hold off Florida State long enough to win 89-81 in the KFC Yum! Centre on Saturday.

at addition to extending their winning run to five games, the Cardinals (21-6, 14-2 ACC) defeat the Seminoles (16-11, 7-9 ACC) 90-76 at Tallahassee to complete the regular season sweep.

It’s the first time Louisville has swept two ACC teams in the regular season since their 2017–18 campaign, when they did the same against Pitt and Virginia Tech. They also swept Virginia earlier this year.

It was by no means Louisville’s most effective game. They had more turnovers (13) than assists (10), shot 50%, and only made 7 of 21 three-pointers. Conversely, they let Florida State shoot 54.2 percent for the game, which is their highest percentage this season in a victory and the highest by an opponent since Kentucky shot 58.2 percent from the field.

The free throw line was the game’s main difference. FSU was 13 of 17 in the charity stripe, while Louisville hit an incredible 30-of-34. In addition, the Cardinals scored 17 points off turnovers compared to the Seminoles’ 7.

Typically a facilitator, Chucky Hepburn scored 29 points to lead Louisville in scoring. He also broke the school record for the most made free throws in a single game, going 17 of 19 at the line.

Three other Cardinals scored in double figures as well. Terrence Edwards Jr. contributed 16 points, Reyne Smith ended with 11 points, and J’Vonne Hadley recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jamir Watkins lead FSU with 23 points.

Louisville made a strong first impression. The Seminoles burned a timeout just 80 seconds into the game after Florida State missed their first four shots in addition to making two three-pointers in the opening minute.

By messing up the game on defence, the ‘Noles attempted to rally, but the Cardinals threw a kink in their own strategy. UofL held FSU to 12-of-26 from the floor and caused 12 turnovers for 15 points off of them in the first half alone.

Louisville maintained their composure during moments in the first half when their attacking flow faltered. They hit it 15-of-28 from the field and 5-of-12 on three-point tries, leading by as much as 20 points and carrying a 45-31 lead into halftime despite turning it over eight times during this time.

Momentum began to go in the opposite manner in the second half. While Florida State’s offence began to get into a groove, Louisville’s offence encountered some hiccups.

The Cardinals’ advantage was reduced to eight points by four turnovers in the opening four minutes, and it was reduced to as little as six points with less than nine minutes remaining due to a 0-for-5 cold streak following a 6-of-8 shooting start to the quarter.

The Cardinals were able to dig deep and deliver a counterpunch after the Seminoles placed them on the ropes. With little over four minutes remaining, they pulled off a 13–4 run to increase their advantage back to 15 points.

With 1:35 remaining, FSU managed to put together a quick 9-0 run to go within six, but UofL did just enough to keep their guests at bay. Twenty second-half free throws proved to be the difference, even though Louisville only shot 11 for 24 in the second half compared to Florida State’s 20 for 33.

Next up, Louisville travels to Blacksburg to play Virginia Tech, their last road trip of the season. Tuesday, February 25 at 9:00 p.m. EST is the planned tip-off time versus the Hokies.

MCGAVIC MATTHEW

McGavic is a native of the Derby City and a 2016 graduate of the University of Louisville’s Sport Administration program. Since 2017, he has covered the Cardinals in a variety of roles, including a brief stint covering Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. Plus, he co-hosts the State of Louisville network’s ‘From The Pink Seats’ podcast. Dog enthusiast, video gamer, and bourbon drinker. His Twitter handle is @Matt_McGavic.