No. 10 Cardinals Face Jackson State in Final Tune-Up Before Rivalry Game

Louisville, KY — The No. 10 Cardinals are set to host Jackson State today at 7 p.m. at the Yum! Center. This matchup serves as the final tune-up before next week’s highly anticipated rivalry game against No. 9 Kentucky.

The Cardinals (1-0), led by coach Kelsey, kicked off their new season with an impressive 59-point victory over Bison on Monday night. Kelsey emphasized the importance of focusing on fundamental values, despite the significant win margin. ‘It’s a great teaching opportunity,’ he said. ‘You can win by 30 (or) 40 points and be really disappointed if you didn’t hit the things that you value.’

Jackson State (0-1), under fourth-year coach Mo Williams, is looking to bounce back after suffering a 113-55 defeat to No. 14 Illinois in their season opener. The team includes the SWAC Preseason Player of the Year, Daeshun Ruffin, and former Louisville forward Devin Ree. They finished last season with a 16-18 record and reached the SWAC Tournament championship game.

Today’s game will not air on traditional TV but will be available via ACC Network Extra. Livestreaming options will be accessible for those with ACC Network subscriptions. Kent Taylor and Larry O’Bannon are set to provide commentary.

The Cardinals are favored to win by 38.5 points, with a projected final score of 96-68 according to KenPom. BartTorvik.com also projects the Cardinals winning decisively, with a final score of 98-69.

In baseball terms, this game is a chance for both teams to find their footing before entering a tough stretch. Tipping off just days before a critical rivalry showdown, the stakes are notably high for the Cardinals.