Louisville men’s basketball is aiming to break their five-game losing streak as they face off against Clemson in Clemson, South Carolina. The game, set to air on ACC Network, is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
The Cardinals recently went through a tough stretch, playing four consecutive games against teams in the top five of the ACC standings. Their most recent loss came at home against Virginia, where they fell 69-52. On the other hand, Clemson suffered a heartbreaking 72-71 defeat at the hands of Duke.
Although Louisville holds a 9-5 advantage in the all-time series against Clemson, they have struggled on the road with a record of just 1-5. However, in their last matchup at home last season, the Cardinals managed to secure a victory while paying tribute to their historic 2013 team.
Louisville (6-14, 1-8 ACC) will be facing Clemson (13-6, 3-5 ACC) on January 30, 2024, at 9 p.m. CT in Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, South Carolina.
In terms of their performance this season, Louisville has utilized eight different starting lineups and has had mixed results with a 3-5 record when using a new lineup. The Cardinals have had 12 different players start games this season, which puts them among the 13 teams in the country that have used at least 12 different starters, according to Ken Pomeroy.
Despite their challenging season, Louisville has showcased resilience by winning four out of their six victories after trailing at halftime. They have struggled in the first half, being outscored by 142 points. However, the team has managed to turn things around in the second half, outscoring opponents by 26 points.
Rebounding has played a significant role in Louisville’s success this season. They hold a 5-3 record when outrebounding their opponents, but have only managed to secure one win in 11 games when losing the rebound battle. Similarly, they have a 6-8 record when shooting more free throws than their opponents, compared to an 0-6 record when they don’t.
Over their last seven games, Louisville has shown improvement in shooting from beyond the arc, converting 39.7% of their attempts. They have also achieved a positive assist-to-turnover ratio in six of their last ten games, a feat they only accomplished in two of their first ten games. Additionally, the Cardinals have shot 45% or better from the field in six of their last seven games.
Redshirt sophomore Mike James has been a key contributor for Louisville in their recent games, averaging 16.4 points per game. He has shot 46.8% from the field, 54.2% from three-point range, and 83.3% from the free-throw line. Junior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield has also made an impact, averaging 14.4 points and 8.5 rebounds while shooting 62.0% from the field. He has recorded five double-doubles in his last 11 games after having just two in his previous 68 games.
Looking back at their last encounter with Clemson on February 18, 2023, Louisville secured an 83-73 victory in front of a record-breaking crowd at the KFC Yum! Center. The presence of the 2013 team, including players like Peyton Siva, Luke Hancock, and Montrezl Harrell, boosted Louisville’s performance. Senior guard El Ellis led the Cardinals with 28 points, while junior forward JJ Traynor contributed with 16 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks. Redshirt freshman forward Mike James also had a solid outing, scoring 13 points.
Louisville will be hoping to carry forward the momentum from their previous victory against Clemson and put an end to their current losing streak. The game promises to be a fiercely contested battle as both teams look to improve their records in the ACC.
