Louisville basketball collected its 20th win of the season yesterday after the Cardinals defeated Georgia Tech 87-70. Louisville controlled the pace and the score for most of the game, leading by double figures for much of the game.
The Cardinals will now have a quick turnaround, facing No. 16 North Carolina in a massive showdown this Monday, Feb. 23. Louisville has just four games remaining but Pat Kelsey is one who usually only speaks of the next game, however the Cardinals head coach broke character in yesterdays press conference as he understands how big of a week Louisville has coming up with UNC on Monday and Clemson on Saturday.
Pat Kelsey isn’t downplaying Louisville basketball's crucial week
Kelsey usually takes it one day and one game at a time. Very rarely does Louisville’s head coach or players look past any game to speak about another. However, yesterday, when Kelsey was asked about his huge upcoming week with UNC and Clemson on the schedule, the Cardinals' head coach didn’t sugarcoat it and sent a loud message.
“I’m well-aware that we have a big week on the road this week,” Kelsey stated after the Cardinals' win on Saturday. “Two really tough venues. That is the only time I'm only going to say something about there’s another game besides the one on Monday. But it’s a big week for the Cards. Big week. We play two good teams, two tough venues.”
Louisville will travel to Chapel Hill to take on North Carolina in a huge ACC showdown this Monday, and then it is back on the road for another huge ACC matchup with Clemson. With the Cardinals trying to climb not only the ACC standings but the NCAA Tournament seedings, this upcoming week has major implications.
As of now, Louisville has a 61.1 percent chance of beating North Carolina after the Tar Heels learned their star player, Caleb Wilson, has a hand fracture. As for Clemson, the Tigers are on a four-game losing streak, and it certainly appears Louisville is getting them at the perfect opportunity, as ESPN updated its Matchup Predictor with the Cardinals having a 57.6 percent chance of winning.
For those who follow Kelsey and the Cardinals, they understand how big this week is just by Kelsey even talking about the week and looking past Monday. Louisville has a huge opportunity this upcoming week to send a message to the ACC and the college basketball committee as the Cards look to climb in the NCAA Tournament seeding.
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Louisville and UNC will tipoff at 7 p.m. local time on Monday. For all the latest on Louisville basketball's 2025-26 season and recruiting, stay tuned.