Duke basketball reserve Jaylen Blakes, who transferred to Stanford for his senior campaign after earning his degree in Durham, tallied exactly 20 points twice in ACC regular season action this go-round.

But since then, first-year coach Pat Kelsey's club has found its stride. After a hellacious 8-24 season, Kelsey arrived from Charleston and infused Louisville with new life. After beating Stanford at home to close the regular season, the Cardinals enter the postseason on a nine-game winning streak.

Syracuse Orange guard J.J. Starling (2) drives past Florida State Seminoles guard Justin Thomas (25). The Syracuse Orange basketball team takes on Florida State in the game 3 in the ACC Tournament in Charlotte N.C, Tuesday March 11. 2025. Dennis Nett | [email protected] dennis nett | [email protected]

Onto the ACC semifinals. If Louisville can make it past their first game in Charlotte, they will have the potential to face the third-seeded Clemson, sixth-seeded SMU or 14th-seeded Syracuse. The Tigers have a NET ranking of 22nd, while the Mustangs come in at 50th and the Orange at 129th.

UNC basketball's Jae'Lyn Withers says the Tar Heels have to 'put it all on the line' vs. Wake Forest in a game between teams on the NCAA Tournament bubble.

The Cardinals head into the ACC Tournament incredibly hot. Led by ACC Coach of the Year Pat Kelsey in his first year at the helm, Louisville is on a nine-game winning streak, and