Louisville basketball will look to make history Saturday night and secure the program's first ACC Tournament title.
The Cardinals joined the ACC back in 2014, and before this postseason run, the Cardinals weren't very successful in the ACC Tournament. Pat Kelsey is the first Cardinals coach to secure two ACC Tournament wins and brought them to their first ACC Tournament semifinals and finals in just his first year as Louisville's head coach.
Louisville basketball had an overall ACC Tournament record of 3-8 entering this run, and the Cardinals have nearly doubled that win total in this lone postseason run. Pat Kelsey's squad has won 11 straight and 21 of their last 22 games. The Cardinals haven't been underdogs often this season, but it seems to have paid off grand for them when they have been.
Louisville basketball's underdog story
Some teams play better when they are the underdogs, some play more freely, and some play like they have something to prove, but whatever it may be, this Pat Kelsey Cardinals teams loves to be underdogs.
The Cardinals have an impressive 28-5 record this season, including their two postseason wins, and in the few games Louisville is not favored and is the underdog in a tight matchup, it seems to be a bit of a motivational factor.
Louisville basketball has been underdogs by eight points or less five times this season, and the Cardinals have secured a victory in every one of those games. Pat Kelsey has led his Cardinals to an impressive 5-0 record when the Cardinals' opponent is favored by 8.5 or less.
Well, it just so happens that according to FanDuel, Duke is favored by 5.5 points over the Cardinals. The Cardinals underdog story looks to strike just one last time before the Big Dance. Louisville basketball has been disrespected time and time again throughout this season, and the Cardinals just keep on winning.
Louisville basketball was underdogs by 8.5 or less to Indiana, SMU, Florida State, Pitt, Clemson, and others.
Louisville improves to 27-6, winning its 8th straight conference tournament game as a 2-seed and giving Pat Kelsey his 8th straight conference tournament win.
— Kelly Dickey (@RealCardGame) March 15, 2025
The Cards improve to 5-0 this season as an underdog less than 8.
Duke will be without their star forward, Cooper Flagg, for the ACC Tournament title. The Cardinals will look to seek revenge and secure their first ACC title over the Duke Blue Devils. Duke has won 27 ACC titles, and will be seeking for the programs 28th.
Louisville will look to improve their underdog story to 6-0 and not only secure the ACC title, but will also try and make a case to be a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals and Blue Devils will tip off around 8:30 p.m. local time.