Louisville’s Chucky Hepburn Faces Childhood Rivals in NCAA Tournament

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KT) – Louisville guard Chucky Hepburn will face a familiar challenge when the Cardinals take on Creighton in the first round of the NCAA South Region tournament at Rupp Arena on Thursday at 12:15 p.m. ET. Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Hepburn was recruited by Creighton coach Greg McDermott before choosing to play for Wisconsin as a four-star prospect.

After transferring to the University of Louisville following his third season, Hepburn has emerged as a key player under first-year head coach Pat Kelsey. “I’ve known Chucky since eighth grade and know his family,” McDermott said during a press conference on Wednesday. “It’s been fun to watch him develop his game. He’s playing as well as any guard in the country right now. Every time you make a mistake, he makes you pay for it.”

Hepburn’s ability to score and pass has been impressive, averaging 16.2 points per game with a shooting percentage of 44.1% from the field this season. His assist average stands at 5.9 per game. “He navigates screening actions well and is so hard to defend because he’s a respected shooter and scorer. At times, he’s an even better passer,” McDermott added.

Creighton’s roster includes 6-foot senior Steven Ashworth, another talented guard who has similar scoring numbers, averaging 16.3 points and leading the conference with 6.8 assists per game. “It’s going to be a lot of fun to go up against him—both offensively and defensively,” Ashworth said. “He’s incredibly efficient at executing the offense, and we need to be wary of his defensive capabilities as well.”

Hepburn praised Ashworth’s relentless work ethic on the floor, emphasizing the importance of staying focused during the matchup. “He never stops running and is always moving. If we lose focus on him, he can get away from us in an instant, and he’s a fantastic shooter from deep,” Hepburn said.

In addition to Ashworth, the Bluejays boast 7-foot-1 center Ryan Kalkbrenner, who is a formidable force in the paint. Averages indicate Kalkbrenner scores 19.4 points per game and pulls down eight rebounds while blocking nearly three shots per contest. “He’s one of the most complete centers in Division I history, and we’ll have our work cut out for us inside,” Hepburn remarked.

Creighton has found success with a veteran lineup, showcasing a record of 15-4 over the last two and a half months. The team averages 75.2 points per game while holding opponents to 69.5 points, emphasizing a strong defensive strategy by limiting opponent shooting to 41.2%.

McDermott commended Kelsey for creating a positive team culture at Louisville. “They look like they’re having a blast playing basketball. Coach Kelsey and his staff have developed a competitive yet enjoyable atmosphere, contributing to their success this season,” he said.

As the anticipation builds for the upcoming matchup, both Hepburn and Ashworth are ready for a thrilling showdown. The outcome may well hinge on their performances and ability to outmaneuver each other on the court.