BOZICH | N.C. State ends Louisville's winning streak at one, 89-83 | Sports

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — On Wednesday the University of Louisville men’s basketball team ended a 22-game road losing streak.

On Saturday, Kenny Payne’s team had its shot to deliver another achievement that the Cards had not celebrated since January 5, 2022 —back-to-back victories in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Could have happened.

Did not happen.

The Cards’ winning streak ended at one. Behind by 14 points with 2:18 to play, Louisville rallied to within three points before losing to North Carolina State, 89-83, at the KFC Yum! Center.

Instead of building on the momentum of their performance at Miami, the Cardinals (6-10, 1-4 in the ACC) filed this game next to the Indiana, Texas and Virginia Tech games.

Opportunities lost. Games the Cards were positioned to win but stumbled.

"We're earning respect but we've got to finish it off," Payne said.

The Cards fell behind in the game’s first minute-and-half. They led for precisely 25 seconds. They climbed back from 14-point holes in each half.

Defense took its place at the top of Louisville’s issues. North Carolina State was never uncomfortable attacking Louisville. The Wolfpack shot 54.2% from the field, made half of their 20 three-point attempts and 15 of 17 free throws.

"If you don't defend, you're not winning," Payne said.

Payne said the Cards worked against the press in practice on Thursday and Friday.

"We knew the press was coming," he said. "We talked about not being tentative versus the press. For the first five, six, seven minutes we were tentative versus it. They felt it, they created turnovers and got their confidence."

Mike James was one of five Louisville players in double figures, scoring 20. Curtis Williams contributed 15, making four of six shots from distance.

In the first half, the Cards started slowly, falling behind 12-0. They had trouble getting comfortable and attacking the N.C. State press. After they moved the ball downcourt, they were hesitant to attack.

"They're a good defensive team," James said. "That's their identity. They press and get into dudes. They kind of rattled us in the beginning."

Against Miami, James and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield combined for 48 points, with each player scoring a career high.

Against N.C. State, James and Huntley-Hatfield had 11 points in the first half. Huntley-Hatfield had scored at least 20 in half of Louisville's last half-dozen games. He had one basket on three shots in the first half -- just as North Carolina State intended.

"We just wanted to crowd his space once he started dribbling," N.C. State coach Kevin Keatts said.

Louisville needed work to get them involved in the attack.

That happened in the second half. After outscoring the Wolfpack 9-0, Louisville eventually worked its way to a 55-54 lead on a three-point jumper by Curtis Williams from the left corner.

The fans were up. The building was alive. The energy was real. The announced crowd was 12,114, the second-largest this season.

"I appreciated the fans for coming out and rallying with us," James said.

Sit down.

"When they cut the lead, we didn't panic," said Keatts, a former U of L assistant under Rick Pitino.

The Cards lead lasted only 25 seconds. Michael O’Connell answered with a three to put NC State ahead, 57-55.

Louisville would not lead again., They continued to leave N.C. State guard D.J. Horne alone on the perimeter. He is a 42% three-point shooter, one of the best in the ACC.

Down the stretch Horne made his fifth and six three-point field goals of the game. He was not the only player to hurt U of L from distance. N.C. State made half of its 20 three-point attempts.

"They burned us over and over and over again," Payne said.

Payne said the problem was that Louisville was too eager to double-team D.J. Burns, N.C. State's mammoth center. The double teams came too quick and they lasted too long. Horne and O'Connell made 9 of 12 shots from the perimeter.

"We're taking strides as a team," James said. "We really starting to play better offensively. Share the ball. Knock down shots and stuff ... we've just got to clean up some stuff on the defensive end from this game and carry that over to UNC and Wake Forest next week."

This will be the toughest part of the schedule for the Cards to regroup. At Ken Pomeroy's analytics website, Louisville's win probability in four of its next five games will be 8% or less.

Louisville will spend most of next week in North Carolina. On Wednesday night at 9, the Cards will be in Chapel Hill to play No. 7 North Carolina. Then they’ll bus to Winston-Salem for a Saturday game at Wake Forest.

Louisville's next home game is Jan. 23 when Duke visits.

"What would it feel like for those dudes in the locker room if we win this game," Payne said. "Do you understand the statement it would make?

"I know we're getting better. I feel we're getting better. I know we're doing the right things for these young people. But we need to make sure they understand the little things now. And winning and losing comes down to the little things."