Improved Louisville prepares for big ACC test against Clemson

Field Level Media|published: Mon 6th January, 16:38 2025

Jan 1, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Chucky Hepburn (24) dribbles against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Drake Powell (9) during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

Louisville seeks a fifth straight win on Tuesday when the host Cardinals entertain Clemson, which is also enjoying a strong start to Atlantic Coast Conference play.

Wins were few and far between the past few years for Louisville (10-5, 3-1). The last time the program enjoyed a five-game winning streak came in the 2020-21 season. That was also the last time the once-vaunted program finished the season above .500.

Thanks to double-digit victories over Florida State, North Carolina and Virginia, the Cardinals broke into ESPN's projected field of 68 on Sunday as one of the "last four in" teams. Louisville last appeared in an NCAA Tournament in 2019.

While "the ReviVille" has been a theme for the Cardinals under Pat Kelsey, the first-year coach said while that has been successful as a marketing campaign to build up fan support, it is not a subject that comes up in talking with the players.

"Our sole focus, 100 percent focus, is to get ready for one of the best teams in our entire conference in a big-time showdown," Kelsey said Monday. "And we're just totally focused on practice."

Louisville features a balanced offense, with four active players averaging 10 points or more per game. Chucky Hepburn averages 15.5 points and 5.5 assists per game to lead the team.

The Tigers (12-3, 4-0) have won three straight, and their start in conference play is tied for the third-best in the program's history. The 1986-87 squad also started 4-0. A win Tuesday would tie the 1996-97 team for the second-best start in ACC competition.

Louisville, though, will be the Tigers' toughest test so far in conference play, and coach Brad Brownell noted after Saturday's victory over Cal that the grind of the season is just starting.

"I told our team we just play so many more games than football, that this is just part of it," said Brownell, whose 2022-23 team started 7-0 in ACC play. "You just have to fight through some things, and other teams are going to play well, and you're going to have a hard time guarding certain guys."

Chase Hunter leads the Tigers at 17.3 points per game. He made 8 of 12 shots from the field in the 80-68 win over Cal.

--Field Level Media

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