Louisville basketball dominant win streak continues, as the Cardinals picked up their 13th win in last 14 games, and improve to 19-6 on the year.
Pat Kelsey and his Cardinals were led by Terrence Edwards Jr., and Reyne Smith where both had 21 points, and shot exceptionally well from beyond the arc. Chucky Hepburn made his return and showed how important he is to this Pat Kelsey team on and off the floor.
Cardinals win over the Wolfpack marks their 12th win in the ACC this season, as they are now in second place, and one game behind Duke in the ACC standings. Cardinals dominant 26 point win showed the nation flashes of why this team could be scary in the ACC Tournament and March Madness.
5 key stats from Louisville basketball's win over NC State
Pat Kelsey and his Louisville Cardinals picked up their 14th double digit win and their sixth 20-point win on Wednesday night. This UofL team is not just squeaking by their opponents, but dominating these teams and showing no mercy.
Pat Kelsey has this team destined for a long post season run, and Lousiville basketball only has six games remaining in the regular season. Here are five glaring stats from last night win that makes the win so sweet.
Cardinals lethal shooting continues
Louisville was absolutely lethal from downtown, as the Cardinals shot 11-19 from the three-ball and per usual they were led by top three-point shooter in the nation, Reyne Smith. The 6-foot-2 190 pound guard from Australia shot 5-9 from deep, and got help from fellow guard Terrence Edwards Jr.
Edwards didn't miss from deep, and went 4-4, and the two Cardinals guards led all scorers in the game with 21 points. J'Vonne Hadley and Chucky Hepburn pitched in as both UofL guards shot 1-2 from three-point line.
Louisville dominant paint presence
Louisville paint presence was felt more tonight then any other game this season. Cardinals dominated the pain as they outscored the Wolfpack 46-16 in the paint, and were led by guard Chucky Hepburn, who made his return since his groin injury. Hepburn had 15 points and six assists and two steals in the Cardinals dominant win.
J'Vonne Hadley also helped as he added 17 points on 63% shooting. Coming off the bench, Aboubacar Traore pitched in nine points on 4-5 shooting. Cardinals as a team shot 63.6% from the field, 57.9% from deep, and 90.9% from the charity stripe. Four players on their team scored 15 or more, and four players shot from the field 60% or better.
Cardinals shattered Wolfpack's reputation
Entering Wednesday night game, North Carolina State averaged giving up 69 points per game at home and never gave up 74 points or more at Lenovo Center. Well, Cardinals shattered that stat, as Louisville put up 91 points in their dominant 91-66 victory. The 26 point loss is by far the Wolfpack biggest loss this season on the season.
Louisville's ability to score quick
One of Louisville keys to success is their ability to score quick and got on game changing runs. In this runs, fast break points are becoming vital in their dominant wins. Cardinals outscored NC State 21-10 in fast break points.
A key to their success is to let Chucky Hepburn get out in front and either drive and score or get the ball into one of their shooters hands. Reyne Smith likes to pull up on fast break and set the tone for this Pat Kelsey squad.
12 acc wins is more than last 3 seasons combined
Pat Kelsey has made an immediate impact on Louisville basketball program, as the program was last in the ACC last year with an embarrassing 3-17 record in conference play and 8-24 overall, and the year prior, Cardinals were even worse with a 2-18 record in the ACC and 4-28 overall. Their 2021-2022 season wasn't much better going 6-14 in ACC, and 13-19 overall, which means this win last night passed their total wins in the ACC in last three seasons combined.
UofL was 11-49 in the last three seasons, and Pat Kelsey comes into this program and flips the program completely around and has Louisville basketball 12-2 in the ACC.
Louisville next game is at Notre Dame this Saturday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. local time.