Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball is gearing up for their final three games of the year, starting with a home match against Arkansas State at the KFC Yum! Center on Wednesday. The game will be broadcasted on ACC Network.
In their most recent matchup, the Cardinals fell short against DePaul with a final score of 75-68. However, Arkansas State comes into this game with some momentum after routing UAB 87-68 to end their three-game losing streak.
The Cardinals have the upper hand in the all-time series, leading 3-0, with all of the games played in Louisville. Arkansas State has struggled to score against Louisville, only managing to put up a total of 118 points in their previous meetings, including a 54-27 loss in their last encounter in 2011.
Wednesday’s game will be the nightcap of a doubleheader, with the women’s program hosting Morehead State at 4 p.m.
In terms of key storylines, the Cardinals have shown improvement in their three-point defense, holding their last seven opponents to a combined 23.8% shooting from beyond the arc. Additionally, Louisville ranks 15th in the nation in free-throw attempts per game (26.7), capitalizing on their opportunities at the line.
The team’s success is often determined by their ability to shoot more free throws than their opponents and outrebound them. Louisville holds a 4-2 record when achieving these two tasks but is winless in the three games where they fall short.
Sophomore guard Skyy Clark has been instrumental in the Cardinals’ offense. Over the past six games, Clark has averaged 20.2 points per game and has become a threat from long range, shooting 37% from beyond the arc.
Freshman guard Ty-Laur Johnson has also made an impact, tallying 26 assists and demonstrating his ability to control the floor. Johnson’s performance is notable as he joins the ranks of other standout freshmen in Louisville’s history, such as NBA Draft picks David Johnson and Terry Rozier.
Looking back at the history between Louisville and Arkansas State, their last meeting in 2011 resulted in a dominant 54-27 victory for the Cardinals. Despite facing multiple injuries, Louisville’s Kyle Kuric and Gorgui Dieng contributed significantly to secure the win.
Arkansas State struggled with turnovers and poor shooting in that game, managing to score just 27 points, their lowest offensive output since the introduction of the shot clock in 1986. Louisville took control early with a 16-0 run and maintained their lead throughout the game.
As Louisville prepares to face Arkansas State once again, they will aim to continue their success on both ends of the court and secure another victory on their home court.
