If you're frantically checking your phone to see what's the score of the Louisville basketball game, you caught them at a tough moment. Honestly, it was a rough night at the KFC Yum! Center. The Louisville men's team just wrapped up a high-stakes ACC clash against Virginia on Tuesday, January 13, and the final result wasn't what the home crowd wanted.
The final score was Virginia 79, Louisville 70.
It’s one of those games that feels closer on paper than it did if you were actually sitting in the stands. The Cardinals, ranked No. 20 going into this one, just couldn't find their rhythm early on. They basically got hit by a blizzard in the first few minutes, falling behind 14-0 before some fans had even found their seats. You just can't do that against a team like Virginia.
Breaking Down the Louisville vs. Virginia Score
The real story of this game was the shooting. Virginia, led by Malik Thomas, was absolutely lethal from deep. Thomas finished with 19 points, including six triples. Every time Louisville threatened to make a real run, it felt like Thomas or freshman Johann Grunloh (who had 16 points) would hit a back-breaking three.
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Louisville actually made it interesting late. Isaac McKneely, who ironically played for Virginia for three years before transferring to the Ville, put up a season-high 23 points. He was basically the only reason the Cardinals stayed in it. They got within six points with about a minute left, but missed shots and free throws by the Cavaliers sealed the deal.
The stats tell a pretty clear story:
Louisville shot a disappointing 36% from the field.
Virginia shot 55% in the second half.
The Cardinals missed their first seven shots of the game.
It’s a frustrating pattern. This loss follows a trend where the Cards struggle against the top-tier "blue blood" or highly disciplined programs. They recently lost to Duke 84-73 on January 6th as well. While they beat Boston College 75-62 over the weekend, this loss to Virginia drops them to 12-5 on the season and 2-3 in the ACC.
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What's Next for Louisville Basketball?
If you're looking for the next game, the men's team is heading on the road. They play the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, January 17, at 8:00 PM ET. That one is away at the Petersen Events Center. If they want to stay in the Top 25, that’s basically a must-win game at this point.
Meanwhile, the Louisville women's team is having a much better week. They are currently ranked No. 10 in the country and are on a massive winning streak. They just crushed Pitt 86-46 on January 11.
The women's team plays next on Thursday, January 15, against Notre Dame. That is a massive Top 10-ish showdown in South Bend. If you’re a Cards fan, that’s probably the game you should be circling on your calendar to wash out the taste of the men's loss to Virginia.
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Why the Score Matters for the Rankings
Losing at home is never good for the NET rankings. The selection committee looks at these "Quad 1" games very closely. By losing to No. 16 Virginia at home, Louisville missed a huge opportunity to climb into the top 15.
Coach Pat Kelsey has this team playing hard, but the slow starts are killing them. You saw it against Tennessee in December (lost 83-62) and you saw it again tonight. They have the talent—guys like Reyne Smith and Terrence Edwards Jr. are proven scorers—but the consistency just isn't there yet.
If you are following along live, keep an eye on the injury report. Jacari White actually returned for Virginia in this game after a wrist injury, which changed their dynamic significantly. For Louisville, they need their bench to step up more. In the Virginia game, the depth just wasn't enough to overcome the starters' cold shooting.
Key Dates for Louisville Fans
- January 15: Women at Notre Dame (6:00 PM ET)
- January 17: Men at Pitt (8:00 PM ET)
- January 18: Women at NC State (1:00 PM ET)
- January 24: Men vs. Virginia Tech (3:30 PM ET)
Essentially, the next ten days will determine if the men's team is a legitimate ACC contender or a "bubble" team. They have the pieces, but the execution against disciplined defenses like Virginia's "Pack Line" is still a work in progress.
To stay updated on the live score of the Louisville basketball game during the Pitt matchup, make sure to check the ESPN app or the official GoCards website around 8:00 PM this Saturday. You can also listen to the local radio broadcast on 93.9 The Ville if you're in the Louisville area.