Louisville Basketball Fans Buzz Ahead of NCAA Tournament Opener Against Creighton

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – As the University of Louisville men’s basketball team gears up for its NCAA Tournament opener, excitement fills the air among fans and players alike. The Cardinals, who hold a 27-7 record, are set to face the Creighton Bluejays in the first round on March 20 at 12:15 p.m. ET at Rupp Arena.

Despite their impressive performance throughout the season, landing as the No. 2 team in the ACC and reaching the conference finals, Louisville has been controversially placed as an 8th seed in the tournament. This unexpected seeding has surprised many fans, who anticipated a better ranking based on the team’s strong record.

Bubba Cunningham, chair of the NCAA selection committee, addressed the backlash during a press conference. “I think Louisville had a great year, but when you look at our league, we ended up getting four teams into the tournament this year… that’s where the committee felt that they should be ranked this year,” Cunningham explained.

The Cardinals have notable wins, including two against ACC rival Clemson, a team that secured a 5-seed. This discrepancy has left fans questioning the committee’s decision. Coach Pat Kelsey echoed these feelings, sharing candidly on ESPN Radio, “You felt slighted a little bit… I believe we deserved at least a 12 or 11 seed based on our performance, especially in the ACC Tournament against Duke.”

Excitement continues to build as the Cardinals prepare for their matchup against Creighton. The game, televised nationally on CBS, serves not only as a chance to showcase their skills but also as motivation for the players to prove their doubters wrong.

Statistically, the Cardinals are expected to perform well, averaging 78.6 points per game this season—9.1 points more than those typically allowed by Creighton. Betting odds favor Louisville by 2.5 points, reflecting the confidence of their loyal fanbase.

Star players Chucky Hepburn and Terrence Edwards have been key to Louisville’s success this season, with Hepburn averaging 16.2 points and nearly 6 assists per game, while Edwards is close behind with an astounding 16.6 points per game. Both are anticipated to be crucial in the upcoming game against Creighton, which features top performers including Ryan Kalkbrenner.

The cultural energy surrounding the Louisville basketball scene is vibrant, with many fans rallying behind the team and joining in the spirit through music. Musician B. Simm‘s anthem, “You Don’t Want These Cards,” originally popularized during the football team’s success in 2012, is enjoying renewed popularity this season.

Simm, who has observed a significant change in enthusiasm regarding UofL basketball, remarked, “Probably a 100% difference” compared to years when the team struggled. His anthem is being embraced by fans of all ages, further uniting the community.

With the Cardinals set to take on Creighton on March 20, the atmosphere is charged with excitement, hope, and determination. As Coach Kelsey noted, the team’s challenging seeding may act as “a little fire in your belly,” aiming to fuel their journey through the NCAA Tournament.