At the very least, Louisville basketball sent this message to the rest of the ACC on Sunday evening: Its days of days of being the conference’s doormat are over.
The Cardinals — after going 5-35 in conference play the past two years under former head coach Kenny Payne — had No. 9 Duke on the ropes at the KFC Yum! Center. But coach Pat Kelsey’s team let a golden opportunity for an upset slip away and fell, 76-65.
After leading for nearly 30 minutes and by as many as 14 points, U of L (5-4, 0-1 ACC) surrendered an 18-2 run that put the Blue Devils (7-2, 1-0) in the driver’s seat, 68-57, with 5:42 remaining in regulation. And after starting the game 10 for 14 from the field and 8 for 11 from 3-point range, the Cards couldn’t string together enough baskets down the stretch.
Make that six consecutive losses to Duke, but this was the closest Louisville has gotten in the series since three days after the program parted ways with Chris Mack.
Terrence Edwards Jr., coming off the bench for the first time this season, led all scorers with 21 points on 6 for 12 shooting (3 for 4 from 3). Reyne Smith (13) and Khani Rooths (10) rounded out their double-digit scorers; while J’Vonne Hadley and James Scott tied for the team lead in rebounds with eight apiece.
The projected No. 1 pick in next year’s NBA draft, Cooper Flagg, led Duke with 20 points and a game-high 12 rebounds despite getting into foul trouble during the second half. He was one of four Blue Devils to break double digits.
Louisville next plays at 7 p.m. Wednesday against UTEP. Then, it’s off to Rupp Arena to face its archrival, No. 6 Kentucky at 5:15 p.m. Saturday.
This story will be updated.
Reach Louisville men’s basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
