2. Louisville's ability to get hot from deep
Louisville finally delivered a strong shooting performance when it mattered most. In their six losses to ranked teams this season, the Cardinals shot just 62-for-215 (28.8%) from three-point range. In those games, their top players consistently struggled to produce offensively. That narrative flipped on Thursday.
Louisville went 13-for-25 (52%) from beyond the arc against USF, while holding the Bulls to just 5-for-33 (15%). That massive gap from three-point range was the difference in the game and ultimately carried the Cards to victory.
Michigan State is not known for its perimeter shooting. The Spartans average just 7.7 made threes per game, ranking 177th nationally. Defensively, they allow opponents to hit 8.5 threes on 26.1 attempts per game, placing them in the bottom 100 in both categories.
If Louisville can shoot anywhere near its season average—or replicate Thursday’s performance—the three-point line becomes a major advantage. Players like Isaac McKneely have the ability to swing the game, and if Louisville gets hot again, a Sweet 16 berth is well within reach.