Louisville basketball is making a strong push in the back half of its ACC schedule. The Cards got off to a slow start, dropping three of their first five ACC games, but since then, Louisville has won six of its last seven, including an impressive four-game winning streak.
This team is beginning to click and is firing on all cylinders, playing its best basketball at the perfect time. The Cards have just eight games remaining, but after Mikel Brown Jr.’s historic 45-point performance and Louisville blowing out North Carolina State, the fans are all of a sudden believing this team can make a run in late March.
However, before fans jump to the ACC Tournament and March Madness, Louisville still has a handful of games that are no easy wins by any means. Two that quickly jump out to the fans are, of course, the road games against No. 11 North Carolina and No. 20 Clemson, but last night proved the Cardinals' last game of the season is poised to have major ACC implications and will be much harder than many expected.
Related: Where Louisville basketball stands in the latest ACC power rankings
Louisville basketball just saw one ACC game get a lot bigger after shocking upset
Louisville is set to take on the Miami Hurricanes on March 7, inside Watsco Center. As of right now, ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Louisville a 66.9 percent chance of winning this marquee matchup, but after the Hurricanes upset North Carolina last night in controlling fashion, this is no easy game by any means.
The Hurricanes continue to impress many as they are led by senior forward Malik Reneau, who is averaging 19.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and nearly one block and steal per game while shooting an impressive 56.1 percent from the field. The Indiana transfer was a nightmare for UNC last night in the Hurricanes' 75-66 win as he posted a 16 and 10 double-double in their win while adding four assists and three steals.
The Hurricanes run a small lineup as only eight players played in last night's game, but four of their five starters scored in double figures, including former 5-star 2025 recruit, Shelton Henderson. The freshman out of Bellaire, Texas, is shooting 59.8 percent from the field on the season and is averaging 14.4 points per game.
Miami has a 19-5 overall record, including an 8-3 ACC record after their massive win over No. 11 UNC last night. The Hurricanes sit a half a game ahead of Louisville after their win last night, and are trending to be around a 10-seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The Cardinals have seven ACC games remaining, plus a February Valentine's Day non-conference showdown against Baylor this Saturday. But after that game, they pick it up with their conference schedule going on the road to SMU in a crucial ACC matchup. Louisville’s last seven conference games are no joke, with four of them against teams projected to make the NCAA Tournament, and all four games are unfortunately on the road.
The Cardinals are playing their best basketball at the right time, and with them hoping to earn a higher seed than their projected 6-seed, their four remaining road games give them a massive opportunity to climb the ACC standings and seedings. The Tar Heels being upset by the Hurricanes last night makes it clear that Louisville fans have to circle that last game of the season, not just for ACC implications, but because this Miami team is a lot better than some may think.