Despite picking up Louisville basketball's fifth straight win, and their 15th win in last 16 games, the Cardinals disappointing performance in their win over Florida State ultimately led them to drop in Joe Lunardi's forecast.
Cardinals picked up just one win last week in their only game, as they defeated FSU 89-81, but Cardinals poor second half, and glaring flaws in late stretch, was one of the main reasons Lunardi dropped the Cardinals in his bracket.
Louisville Basketball Bracketology breakdown
Louisville basketball seems to be close to a lock for either a 6-seed or 7-seed , depending on how final four games play out. the Cardinals can win out, and then make a run in the ACC Tournament, including wins over Stanford, and Clemson, and then beat Duke or just play with Duke, then don't be surprised to see Cardinals jump to a 5-seed or 6-seed.
However, in Joe Lunardi's forecast Pat Kelsey and his Cardinals dropped back down to the No. 7 seed in the East region. Louisville basketball is predicted to go up against West Virginia, and then potentially a rematch with an old SEC friend, Tennessee Volunteers.
Cardinals faced both of these teams this year as they defeated WVU 79-70 in a Chucky Hepburn breakout game, as he scored his season-high 32 points, and had 17 in the second half. As for their rematch with Tennessee, Cardinals fans would expect a lot more from Pat Kelsey's squad, as Tennessee dominated Louisville, 77-55. Reyne Smith led all scorers off the bench with 18 points, and Cardinals shot terrible from downtown at just 25%.
Louisville basketball is much different than the last time they played both as Reyne Smith has etched his name as one of the best three-point shooters in the nation, and Chukcy Hepburn is one of best point guards in NCAA.
Cardinals are going to be a tall task for any team as their ability to shoot from deep is the secret recipe for a March Madness Final Four run. Cardinals fans can't wait to be back in the tournament, as the last time they made it was back in 2021.
ACC Basketball Bracketology breakdown
Listed below also includes Joe Lunardi's current bracket projections for the remaining five teams in contention of making the NCAA Tournament.
- Duke Blue Devils (24-3; ACC,15-1) - No. 1 seed in the East region.
- Clemson Tigers (22-5 and 14-2) - Moved up to No. 5 seed and predicted to play UC San Diego in the West region.
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons (24-3 and 11-3) - Joe Lunardi's last team in, and predicted to play Arkanasas in the No. 11 seed play-in game. Winner is predicted to play No. 6 seed UCLA in the West region.
- SMU Mustangs (20-7 and 11-5) - SMU is on the bubble and predicted to be on the outside looking in. Mustangs are four spots behind the Deamon Deacons.
- North Carolina Tar Heels (18-11 and 11-6). North Carolina is the first team out and one spot behind Wake Forest in Joe Lunardi forecast.