LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The University of Louisville men's basketball team is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, and Cardinal fans are ready to cheer on their team during the NCAA Tournament.

Louisville received an 8-seed in the South Regional of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. The Cardinals will play Creighton, the Big East runner-up, on Thursday at Rupp Arena in Lexington. 

Louisville missed the last four NCAA tournaments, the program's longest drought since a stretch from 1951-52 to 1957-58. 

"It's such a historic program, and when they're bad it's bad for the school itself," said UofL freshman Declan Murphy. "Being back it's really cool to see, everyone is in better spirits."

The Cardinals went 12-52 in the last two seasons and were one of the ACC's worst teams. But even before Kenny Payne's two-year tenure, Louisville missed the NCAA tournaments, finishing with a .500 record from 2020-21 to 2021-22. 

"Honestly I was turning the TV off, trying to find something else to watch because it wasn't fun to watch those teams play in the past," said Matthew Anderson, a UofL graduate.

At a watch party Sunday night hosted at Joe's Older Than Dirt, Louisville fans say the team has been "revived" thanks to first-year head coach Pat Kelsey.

"You're so proud because we have struggled for so long, and it's like we're back," UofL graduate and fan Angie Pillow said. "This whole season has been amazing." 

Despite losing in the ACC Tournament final to top-ranked Duke, Louisville goes into the NCAA Tournament with 27 wins. That's a 19-win improvement from last season, the best turnaround in program history.

"Around campus, you can tell the spirit of the campus is up," said UofL freshman Colton Lenz. 

Beyond baskets, UofL fans believe the return to the NCAA Tournament will add some energy to the city in March.

"Now that we're back, you walk in front of the Yum! Center and it's vibrant. The whole city is booming," Anderson said. "Everyone loves seeing UofL is back and we're all cheering for the team to make a run in the tournament."

While Louisville fans are glad to be back in the NCAA Tournament, the 8-seed was a surprise for some. Kelsey told ESPN Radio that it "hurt a little bit" when he learned about his team's seeding.

Most bracket projections had Louisville as a 6-seed. WDRB's Rick Bozich wrote the selection was a "difficult and disrespectful draw." The Cardinals would potentially play overall top seed Auburn in the round of 32. 

Louisville hasn't won a game in the NCAA Tournament since 2017, but UofL fans have dreams of a memorable March.

"I don't see why we can't get a Final Four run, why not," Anderson said.

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