Louisville basketball advances to ACC Tournament quarterfinals after defeating SMU Louisville Cardinals basketball secured a hard-fought 62-58 victory over 11th-seeded Southern Methodist University (SMU) in the ACC Tournament Round of 16 on Wednesday, advancing to the quarterfinals. The sixth-seeded Cardinals, led by head coach Pat Kelsey, overcame a deficit to claim their first win in 17 attempts when trailing by five minutes in the second half under Kelsey’s tenure. The game, played at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, sets up a rematch against third-seeded Miami in the semifinals, with the matchup scheduled for approximately 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. The win marks a pivotal moment for Louisville, which had struggled to close out games in recent seasons. The Cardinals’ ability to rally in the final minutes was highlighted by a standout performance from forward Vangelis Zougris, who provided a crucial spark in the second half. Zougris, making only his third start of the season, scored six consecutive points to give Louisville a 52-50 lead with 5:38 remaining. The Greek forward’s efforts set the stage for a dramatic finish, as Louisville’s resilience led to a decisive 3-pointer and layup from Ryan Conwell in the final minute, sealing the victory. Conwell finished with a team-high 16 points, though Zougris’ impact was undeniable, as his performance helped position Louisville for a deep run in the tournament. Louisville’s defensive strategy was equally critical in securing the win. The Cardinals held SMU to just 26 points in the first half, a season-low, despite the Mustangs’ strong shooting percentage of 29.6% (8-for-27) and 14.3% (2-for-14) from beyond the arc.#louisville_cardinals #smu_mustangs #pat_kelsey #vangelis_zougris #ryan_conwell
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
