Louisville Grinds Out ACC Tournament Win Over SMU, Highlighting Zougris' Rise and Bench Concerns Louisville secured a hard-fought 62-58 victory over SMU in its ACC Tournament opener Wednesday, showcasing a defensive, low-possession approach that deviated from the team’s usual fast-paced style. The Cardinals held SMU, a Top-25 caliber offense, to just 60 points, marking their first such performance in ACC play this season. The game, played in Charlotte, featured a slow tempo with only 61 possessions—a season low according to Ken Pomeroy’s metrics—and emphasized rebounding, contested shots, and clutch late-game plays. The win highlighted two key positives for Louisville as it prepares for a rematch with Miami. First, Vangelis Zougris, the 6-foot-7 forward from Greece, emerged as a potential March Madness star. Zougris, who entered the starting lineup in the next-to-last regular-season game, scored six consecutive points in the final minutes to flip a two-point deficit into a two-point lead. His energy and physicality have been a steady presence since joining the starting five, with coach Pat Kelsey praising his “desperation” and “toughness.” Zougris, who won the team’s gold jersey for top practice player last week, emphasized his focus on “showing up every day” and staying mentally prepared for the postseason. Second, sophomore Adrian Wooley stepped into the point guard role with confidence, steadying the offense in the absence of injured freshman Mikel Brown Jr. Wooley, less experienced than some transfers, has increasingly taken charge of ball distribution and attacking the rim, forcing defenses to prioritize his scoring threat. His ability to draw fouls and create opportunities has complemented Ryan Conwell’s off-ball play, forming a strong defensive backcourt.#smu #louisville #vangelis_zougris #pat_kelsey #adrian_wooley
