Louisville basketball isn't a 100% lock for NCAA Tournament, but let's be honest its about as sure as it gets without printing it on paper.
The Cardinals started the year on a tough journey, and fans thought, oh no here we go again, but Pat Kelsey quickly got these Cardinals in shape and have now won 17 of their last 18 games, including their current seven game win streak.
Louisville basketball is now ranked No. 14 in the nation, and have an impressive 23-6 record, and a program record breaking 16-2 ACC record. The Cardinals currently are 55th in the country in scoring, as they average 79.5 points per game, and give up just 69.2.
Louisville basketball projected NCAA Tournament Opponents
Cardinals still have a lot to prove in the ACC Tournament, and could elevate their seed higher with upsets over Clemson and Duke. So, we decided to make Cardinals fans a cheat sheet for potential opponents for Pat Kelsey and Louisville basketball in the first-round.
First-round matchup possibilities
Louisville basketball is projected both a six-seed, and a seven-seed by most experts, so as a projected 6-seed, Louisville basketball will face an 11-seed in the opening round, and as a 7-seed Cardinals will face a 10-seed in the opening round. Using bracketology projections, the following teams Louisville basketball could potential see in the first round include:
Ohio State University
Record: 16-13 (8-10 Big 10)
Team Stats:
- Points: 78.5 PPG
- FG%: 46.8%
- 3PT%: 37.5%
- Rebounds: 33.8 RPG
- Defense: 72.3 PPG allowed
Key Players:
- Bruce Thorton (G): 17.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.1 SPG 50.2 % FG, 43.9% 3PT
- Devin Royal (F): 13.3 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 52.0% FG
- John Mobley Jr.(G): 13.1 PPG, 2.2 APG, 0.8 SPG 40.3% 3PT
University of Arkansas
Record: 17-12 (6-10 SEC)
Team Stats:
- Points: 75.6 PPG
- FG%: 46.2%
- 3PT%: 33.1%
- Rebounds: 34.8 RPG
- Defense: 69.9 PPG allowed
Key Players:
- Johnell Davis (G): 10.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 38.2% FG, 31.6% 3PT
- Adou Thiero (G): 15.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.7 SPG 54.8% FG
- DJ Wagner (G): 10.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.4 APG, 39.9% FG
University of Georgia
Record: 18-11 (6-10 SEC)
Team Stats:
- Points: 75.6 PPG
- FG%: 46.4%
- 3PT%: 33.2%
- Rebounds: 36.6 RPG
- Defense: 69.1 PPG allowed
Key Players:
- Asa Newell (F): 15.2 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 1.1 BPG 55.0% FG, 30.3% 3PT
- Silas Demary Jr. (G): 12.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.7 SPG, 37.3% 3PT
- Dakota Leffew (G): 9.9 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 42.3% FG, 35.3% 3PT
Indiana University
Record: 18-11 (9-9 Big 10)
Team Stats:
- Points: 75.9 PPG
- FG%: 46.7%
- 3PT%: 32.4%
- Rebounds: 36.4 RPG
- Defense: 72.4 PPG allowed
Key Players:
- Oumar Ballo(C): 13.4 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, 64.0% FG, 1.4 BPG
- Malik Reneau (F): 13.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 56.7% FG
- Myles Rice (G): 10.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, 34.7% 3PT
UC San Diego
Record: 26-4 (16-2 Big West)
Team Stats:
- Points: 81.0 PPG
- FG%: 47.0%
- 3PT%: 36.9%
- Rebounds: 34.0 RPG
- Defense: 62.1 PPG allowed
Key Players:
- Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones (G): 19.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.3 SPG, 58.9% FG, 34.9% 3PT
- Tyler McGhie (G): 16.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 43.9% FG, 39.5% 3PT
- Hayden Gray (G): 11.2 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.4 APG, 48.3% FG, 42.1% 3PT
West Virginia University
Record: 17-12 (8-10 Big East)
Team Stats:
- Points: 68.2 PPG
- FG%: 42.4%
- 3PT%: 32.6%
- Rebounds: 33.1 RPG
- Defense: 64.6 PPG allowed
Key Players:
- Javon Small (G): 18.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.5APG, 1.6 SPG, 35.6% 3PT, 42.0% FG
- Amani Hansberry (F): 9.8 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 43.0% FG
- Jonathan Powell (G): 8.0 PPG, 33.7% 3PT
VCU
Record: 24-5 (14-2 A-10)
Team Stats:
- Points: 78.2 PPG
- FG%: 45.2%
- 3PT%: 34.4%
- Rebounds: 38.4 RPG
- Defense: 62.2 PPG allowed
Key Players:
- Joe Bamisile (G): 15.3 PPG, 5.3RPG, 1.2 SPG, 46.6% FG
- Max Shulga (G): 15.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.8 SPG, 45.2% FG, 42.6% 3PT
- Phillip Russell (G): 11.2 PPG, 41.2% FG, 36.1% 3PT
Baylor University
Record: 17-12 (9-9 Big 12)
Team Stats:
- Points: 77.8 PPG
- FG%: 45.2%
- 3PT%: 35.7%
- Rebounds: 35.9 RPG
- Defense: 69.9 PPG allowed
Key Players:
- Norchad Omier (F): 15.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.3 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 56.3% FG
- VJ Edgecombe (G): 14.6 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 43.6% FG, 35.5% 3PT
- Jeremy Roach (G): 11.0 PPG, 36.6% 3PT
Louisville Basketball
PPG: 79.5
FG%: 45.4%
3PT%: 33.1%
RPG: 37.4
Defense: 69.2 PPG allowed
Key Players:
- Chucky Hepburn (G) – 16.3 PPG, 6.0 APG, 2.4 SPG, 45.2% FG, 36.0% 3PT
- Terrence Edwards Jr. (G) – 15.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 43.3% FG, 32.2% 3PT
- Reyne Smith (G) – 13.8 PPG, 38.5% 3PT
Louisville basketball has the tools and skillset to make a deep post season run, and if the Cardinals continue to just play to their strengths then they can compete with just about anyone. Selection Sunday is set for March 16.