It will be the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019 as coach Pat Kelsey and his players try to deliver the Cardinals’ first NCAA victory since 2017.

When Louisville guard Reyne Smith stepped off the bus at the Spectrum Center on Thursday with no walking boot, it sparked some hope that the senior sharpshooter might be ready to return from an ankle injury that had sidelined him the past two games.

Smith had 27 points and the Cardinals made a season-high 15 threes.

If this were mid-March, instead of the second day of December, Pat Kelsey's team would be safely in the NCAA Tournament field

Pat Kelsey and his University of Louisville men’s basketball team gave Cardinal fans many reasons to get thoroughly stoked about this season — and seasons to come.

Cards coach Pat Kelsey did not empty his bench until there was 1:13 to play and the Cards led, 100-66.