In a highly anticipated matchup, the Louisville men’s basketball team will take on the Miami Hurricanes on Wednesday night in Coral Gables, Fla. The game, set to tip-off at 7 p.m. ET, will be broadcast on ACC Network.
Both teams are coming off tough losses in their previous games. The Cardinals have dropped three consecutive games, with their latest defeat being a 83-70 home loss to Pitt. On the other hand, Miami had their four-game winning streak snapped with an 86-82 overtime road loss to Wake Forest. Despite the recent setbacks, the Hurricanes boast an impressive 9-0 home record this season.
Louisville will be looking to break their losing streak and improve their overall record against Miami. The Cardinals hold a 13-8 all-time record against the Hurricanes, but have lost their last four matchups. Additionally, Louisville hasn’t managed to secure a victory in Miami since 2019.
The stage is set for an exciting battle between these two teams as they strive to get back on track. Louisville’s next five games are against the current top five teams in the ACC standings, making a win against Miami all the more crucial for their season. However, the Cardinals suffered a setback as senior forward JJ Traynor re-injured his left shoulder, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
One player to watch for Louisville is sophomore forward Danilo Jovanovich, who transferred to the Cardinals from Miami. Jovanovich played in just one game for the Hurricanes last year, but has seen increased playing time since joining Louisville. He will be looking to make an impact against his former team.
Both Louisville’s Kenny Payne and Miami’s Jim Larrañaga have a unique connection as both were NBA Draft picks during their playing days. Payne was selected 19th overall by the 76ers in 1989, while Larrañaga was a sixth-round pick for the Pistons in 1971.
Junior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield has been a standout performer for Louisville in recent games, averaging 13.6 points and 8.4 rebounds over the last five contests. He has provided a much-needed presence inside the paint, recording three straight double-doubles.
Freshman guard/forward Curtis Williams has also been a key contributor for the Cardinals, averaging 11.5 points in the last four games. Williams has found his shooting stroke, making 10 of 23 three-pointers during that stretch.
In their last meeting, Miami emerged victorious with a 93-85 win over Louisville. The game was closely contested, with the Cardinals trailing by just four points with 4:47 remaining before the Hurricanes pulled away. Miami’s ability to capitalize on turnovers and second-chance opportunities proved to be the difference.
Louisville guard El Ellis had a stellar performance in the loss, scoring a career-high 33 points. Miami countered with three players scoring over 20 points each, demonstrating their offensive firepower.
As the Cardinals look for redemption, they will need to tighten up their defense and limit Miami’s scoring opportunities. It promises to be an intriguing showdown between these two ACC rivals, with both teams vying for a crucial conference win.
