March Madness is here, and the Cardinals are just hours away from tip-off.
Louisville basketball fans have been starved of this day, as the Cardinals have not been in the Big Dance since 2019. The Cardinals are even more starving for a win in the NCAA Tournament, as their last win came back in 2017.
Louisville's first-round matchup will be against the Creighton Bluejays on March 20 at 12:15 p.m. local time. The Cardinals and Bluejays have only played each other three times in the program's history, as Creighton holds the series record with a 2-1 record. Louisville basketball will look to bounce back from their ACC Tournament loss to the Duke Blue Devils in the championship game.
5 crazy stats that makes Louisville basketball unstoppable against Creighton
Louisville and Creighton will play in the Cardinal's backyard pretty much as the game will take place in the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kent. which is just an hour away from the Cardinal KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals will need Chucky Hepburn and J'Vonne Hadley to step up from their performances in the ACC Tournament in order to win against this tough Creighton team.
The Cardinals did receive excellent news that their lethal shooter, Reyne Smith, will return and play. So, with tip-off just hours away, we want to give the fans five crazy stats that make Louisville basketball unstoppable against Creighton.
5. Louisville's ability to adjust
Louisville lost the ACC Tournament Championship to the Duke Blue Devils. The Cardinals haven't suffered consecutive losses since December 3. However, Louisville has dominated its last three months of basketball, winning 21 of its last 23 games, including two wins over Clemson.
The Cardinals have become one of the most dominant teams in the nation, and a key stat that proves that is their lack of consecutive losses. It has been 105 days since Louisville lost back-to-back games and 25 games. The Bluejays' just recently lost back-to-back games exactly one month ago.
The Cardinals' ability to learn from their mistakes and come out strong and fast in the next game is a key reason why Louisville is a sleeper Cinderella team in this March Madness tournament. The Cardinals are 4-2 after a loss this season, while Creighton is 5-4.
4. The Cardinals dominant stat with 4+ days of rest
Louisville basketball was hit with the injury bug earlier this season, which caused its rotation to be shorter than most. So, when the Cardinals get days off, they usually capitalize and get the absolute most out of it.
The Cardinals are 8-2 when they get four or more days off this season. Louisville basketball's last game was Saturday, which means the Cardinals have four rest days ahead of their NCAA Tournament debut. The Cardinals aren't just beating teams after their long rest breaks but dominating these teams.
Louisville basketball's margin of victory is 11.2 points per win. It is clear that rest days are vital for Pat Kelsey and his squad, and the Cardinal's rest has already received great news as Reyne Smith is set to make his return after missing the Cardinal's last four games. When Creighton has four or more days of rest, the Bluejays' are 5-3.
3. Odds favor the Cardinals
The Cardinals have been favorites in 26 games this season and have dominated nearly everyone. Louisville has an impressive 22-4 record when they are favorites in their games this season.
FanDuel has the Cardinals as a -2.5 point favorite and -134 for the Cardinals to win outright. Louisville has become a dominant force as the Cardinals have won 19 games this season by double digits, including eight games by 20 points or more.
Louisville is ranked No. 10 in the nation and is ranked No. 23 in the NET rankings. The Cardinals are 6-6 in quality wins and 5-6 against Quad 1 teams. Louisville basketball has proven itself to be a favorite in big-time games, and when they are favorites by the oddsmakers, they tend not to let the fans down.
On top of that, Creighton is 4-6 when they are the underdogs in a matchup this season. The Bluejays have won just 40 percent of the games they are underdogs, as the Cardinals have won 84.6 percent of the games they are favorites.
2. Common opponent
Louisville basketball and Creighton played one common opponent this year, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Both teams secured victories over the Irish, but the Cardinals dominated in a 75-60 victory, and the Bluejays squeaked by in an 80-76 win.
The Cardinal shot nearly 50 percent from the floor and were led by Chucky Hepburn as he earned 16 points on 70 percent shooting from the floor. All five starters scored in double digits for the Cardinals against the Irish, which is a glaring stat to prove that this Cardinals squad doesn't rely on just one player, but truly will beat their opponent as a unit.
1. The Cardinals historic starting lineup
Louisville basketball's starting lineup made history this season as four players scored 30 points or more in four games. The Cardinals are the only team to achieve this accomplishment this season, and it was the first time in program history.
This stat stands out because, unlike most teams, Louisville basketball is going to be unselfish. The team will beat its opponent as a unit, not by an individual player. Terrence Edwards Jr. leads the Cardinals in scoring with 16.6 points per game, but Chucky Hepburn adds 16.2 points, Reyne Smith adds 13.4 points per game, and J'Vonne Hadley adds 12.1 points per game.
The Cardinals having four players averaging 12 points or more entering the NCAA Tournament is an impressive stat that will make this Creighton team struggle on the defensive side. Louisville basketball must shoot well from beyond the arc to open their driving lanes, and then their lob threat, James Scott.
Louisville basketball will look to secure its first NCAA Tournament win since Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell was a Cardinal. Louisville and Creighton tip off tomorrow at 12:15 p.m. local time.