Louisville Basketball Seeks Stronger ACC Performance for NCAA Tournament

Louisville basketball aims to enhance its performance in the ACC to strengthen its NCAA Tournament resume following a disappointing 2025 season. The Cardinals finished with a 27-7 record and secured second place in the ACC but received only a No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament, leading to questions about how a strong record translated into a low seed.

Coach Pat Kelsey expressed his disappointment, stating the team felt slighted, noting their 4-6 record in Quad 1 games as a contributing factor. The ACC's overall performance has been concerning, with half of its 18 members finishing outside the top 100 in the NET rankings.

In an effort to improve, the ACC reverted to an 18-game conference slate for the 2025-26 season, encouraging members to pursue high-profile nonconference matchups that could bolster the league's national perception.

The ACC was ranked fourth in KenPom's power rankings as of December 19, with a +14.77 net rating, an improvement from the previous season's +9.16. However, the conference's record in Quad 1 and Quad 2 games was still troubling, with a combined 31-38 record as of December 19.

Louisville's schedule includes 15 remaining games in the top two quadrants, which is crucial for their potential NCAA Tournament bid. ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi projected the ACC to send eight teams to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, with Louisville potentially receiving a No. 4 seed in the South Region, highlighting the importance of the upcoming games for their postseason aspirations.