Louisville basketball is back in the win column, and improves to 17-6 on the year and 10-2 in ACC play.
Cardinals 10th ACC win marks the first time UofL has 10 ACC wins in a season since the 2019-2020 season. Louisville was led by J'Vonne Hadley and Terrence Edwards Jr. as they combined for 41 of the Cardinals 84 points.
Aboubacar Traore came off the bench and added valuable minutes when star guard Chucky Hepburn was sidelined for the remainder of the game. Traore had nine points in 15 minutes and went 4-4 from the field. All five starters score for Louisville last night, and six of the nine players who saw action connected on a deep ball.
Louisville defeated Boston College 84-58. Here are five quotes from Pat Kelsey's press conference following the Cardinals dominant win.
5. Louisville basketball head coach , Pat Kelsey, is "proud"
Pat Kelsey expressed some emotion, as he told his players and media that he is "proud" of his team and overcoming adversity. Cardinals went 49 days without a loss, and could have easily came out this game slow, but instead Cardinals came out hot as they started 7-11 from deep.
"I am proud of our players, showed a lot of resiliency and toughness in overcoming last Saturday, and with Chucky going down, they guys all really rallied around each other and stepped up."
Chucky Hepburn went down in the second half around the 15 minute mark and never returned. Cardinals were up 44-35 when Hepburn went down, and UofL didn't blink and eye, even without Hepburn as they won by 26 points.
4. Louisville basketball is "extremely dangerous"
The Cardinals brought in 13 transfers in the offseason, and their chemistry is gelling at the perfect time. UofL is averaging over10 threes a game which is second in the ACC. Cardinals live and die by the three-ball, and they demonstrated that tonight as they hit nine threes from six different players. Louisville basketball ability to shoot from long range allows them to go on momentum runs, and they demonstrated that against Boston College.
"We go on runs it is usually because we are stringing a bunch of stops together. We are an extremely dangerous offensive team with a lot of weapons that can score and beat you in a lot of different ways."
3. Cardinals defense caused havoc all night long
One of Pat Kelsey's main philosophies is assist to turnover ratio. In their win over the Eagles, Louisville forced 14 turnovers, as seven were steals. Cardinals were physically more dominant, and were able to force Boston College to take tough shots all night long. Cardinals forced the Eagles to shoot under 40%, 38.3% from the field, and 30% from beyond the arc.
"I could just here them on the floor. When we are a loud defense, a more connected defense, a more organized defense, and I thought these guys really stepped up and guarded at a really high-level especially in the second half."
2. Chucky Hepburn injury update
Chucky Hepburn exited and went to the locker room but was seen on the bench laughing with teammates with about five minutes remaining. Louisville basketball fans anxiously awaited an injury update, and after the game they received some concerning news.
"I don't have any update and we will know more tomorrow." Kelsey stated on Chucky Hepburn. "I was told by the medical people that he couldn't return."
1. Cardinals guard, J'Vonne Hadley, is a "warrior"
J' Vonne Hadley led the way for Louisville with 22 points, while shooting an impressive split of 8-12 from the field and 2-2 from the three-point line. Hadley averages nearly 12 points per game now, on 50% shooting, with over 7 rebounds a game. Hadley production could be increased depending on Chucky Hepburn injury.
"J'Vonne is a huge part of our team. He can score when he needs to score. He'll defend anybody you want him to on the other team at any position. He is a warrior and he is tough as heck."