If you were looking for a nail-biter, you definitely tuned into the wrong channel Saturday night. The score of the u of l game against Pittsburgh wasn't just a lopsided affair; it was a total demolition that felt over before the first media timeout. Louisville went into the Petersen Events Center and basically treated the place like their own private practice gym, walking away with a 100-59 victory.
Honestly, 41 points is a massive gap for any conference game. Especially on the road.
The Cardinals came out firing from the jump. Ryan Conwell was unconscious from deep, dropping 24 points and looking like he couldn't miss if he tried. It’s kinda wild to see a team click like that after they struggled so much against Virginia earlier in the week. They started the game on a 13-0 run. Pitt didn't even get on the board until about five minutes had ticked off the clock.
Breaking Down the Score of the U of L Game
Usually, when you see a 100-point performance, you expect it to be a track meet where both teams are scoring. Not this time. Louisville (13-5, 3-3 ACC) played defense like their lives depended on it, holding the Panthers to a dismal 38.2% from the field.
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By halftime, the lead was already 31 points. 53-22.
- Ryan Conwell: 24 points, 5 triples.
- J'Vonne Hadley: 17 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists.
- Sananda Fru: 12 points on nearly perfect shooting.
- Team Shooting: 63% from the floor.
That 63% number is the one that really sticks out. You just don't see that in high-level college basketball very often. It's the kind of efficiency that makes a head coach like Pat Kelsey actually look relaxed on the sidelines for once.
Why This Score Matters So Much Right Now
Going into this matchup, there was a lot of chatter about whether Louisville had hit a wall. They had lost three of their last four games, including a frustrating 79-70 loss to Virginia at the Yum! Center. People were starting to question the "Kelsey-era" momentum.
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This game was a loud response to that skepticism.
It wasn't just about winning; it was about the way they won. They shared the ball beautifully, racking up 24 assists. When the ball moves that well, the score of the u of l game is almost always going to look good. Five different players scored in double digits. That's the hallmark of a team that isn't relying on one superstar to bail them out of bad possessions.
The Women’s Team Just Pulled Off a Wild One Too
If you're keeping track of the ladies, they were busy today down in Raleigh. No. 9 Louisville went into a hostile environment at NC State and walked out with a gritty 74-74 result that went into overtime—actually, let's look at the final. It was a dogfight. They trailed big early—down 41-21 at the half—but staged a massive comeback.
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It's a good time to be a Cards fan.
What's Next for the Cardinals?
The schedule doesn't get any easier from here. The men head back home to the KFC Yum! Center to face Virginia Tech on January 24th. That's going to be a "Coaches vs. Cancer" game, which usually brings out a big crowd and a lot of energy.
If they keep shooting the ball at even 50% of the clip they showed in Pittsburgh, they'll be hard to stop. But as we've seen this season, consistency is the hardest thing to find in the ACC.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Perimeter: Keep an eye on Ryan Conwell’s efficiency. When he hits more than three 3-pointers, Louisville’s win probability skyrockets.
- Home Court Advantage: The upcoming Virginia Tech game is a must-win to stay above .500 in conference play.
- Injury Report: Keep tabs on five-star freshman Mikel Brown Jr. He’s missed nine straight games, and getting him back would change the team's ceiling entirely.
Don't just look at the final numbers and think it was a fluke. This was a systematic dismantling of a Big City rival. Louisville didn't just win; they made a statement.