Louisville Aims for Historic Sweep Against Struggling Virginia

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Louisville Cardinals (13-5, 6-1 ACC) will face the Virginia Cavaliers (8-9, 1-5 ACC) at noon Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center, seeking their first regular-season sweep of Virginia since joining the ACC. Louisville previously defeated Virginia 70-50 on Jan. 4 in Charlottesville, sparking a four-game losing streak for the Cavaliers.

Virginia, under interim head coach Ron Sanchez following Tony Bennett’s abrupt retirement in October, has struggled this season. The Cavaliers are coming off a heartbreaking 54-52 loss to SMU on Wednesday, their fourth consecutive defeat. Virginia has also struggled on the road, going 0-4 in true away games this season, with all losses coming by 12 or more points.

Louisville, meanwhile, is riding a seven-game winning streak, its longest since a 10-game run in 2020. The Cardinals are favored by 14.5 points, according to betting odds, with an over/under set at 128.5 points. KenPom.com predicts a 71-57 victory for Louisville, while BartTorvik.com projects a 69-56 win.

Virginia’s offensive struggles have been a key factor in their recent losses. The team ranks 229th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency and has struggled with turnovers. Junior guard Isaac McKneely, who scored 13 points against Louisville earlier this month, remains Virginia’s most consistent offensive threat, shooting 41.6% from three-point range.

Defensively, Virginia continues to rely on its pack-line defense, though it has not been as effective as during Bennett’s tenure. Louisville’s ability to handle pressure and make smart decisions with the ball will be critical. In their Jan. 4 matchup, the Cardinals shot efficiently and limited Virginia to 5-of-26 from beyond the arc.

Notably, Louisville has not beaten Virginia at the KFC Yum! Center since Feb. 9, 2020. A win Saturday would mark the first time Louisville has been a double-digit favorite in a conference game since Feb. 5, 2020. The game will air on ESPN2, with Kevin Brown and Chris Spatola on the call.

Louisville will honor the Dirt Bowl, a historic summer basketball tournament in the city, by wearing special uniforms. The Cardinals are also looking to extend their six-game ACC winning streak, their longest since 2020.

Virginia, despite its struggles, has historically dominated the series, winning 18 of the last 20 meetings. However, Louisville’s recent form and Virginia’s ongoing challenges suggest the Cardinals are well-positioned to make history Saturday.