Pittsburgh Panthers vs Louisville Cardinals Picks and Predictions January 11th 2025

Louisville, Pitt Confident in Strong ACC Starts Ahead of Clash

Confidence will take center stage Saturday when Louisville visits Pitt for a pivotal early-season Atlantic Coast Conference showdown in Pittsburgh.

Both teams are off to strong starts in ACC play, with Louisville (11-5, 4-1 ACC) riding a five-game winning streak and Pitt (12-3, 3-1 ACC) boasting a 15-game home winning streak dating back to last season. The matchup pits two teams eager to establish themselves among the conference’s elite.

Louisville: Momentum and Depth

The Cardinals have already surpassed last season’s win total, and head coach Pat Kelsey attributes the team’s resurgence to growing chemistry and confidence.

“You just feel it, the momentum, rolling a little bit,” Kelsey said.

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Louisville’s balanced offense is led by Chucky Hepburn (15.1 points per game) and Terrence Edwards Jr. (13.1). However, both players have struggled in the past two games, combining to shoot just 8-for-40 from the field. Fortunately for the Cardinals, J’Vonne Hadley stepped up in Tuesday’s 74-64 win over Clemson, scoring a career-high 32 points.

“We can hurt you in a lot of ways,” Kelsey said, highlighting the team’s depth as a key strength.

Pitt: Resiliency at Home

Despite a humbling 29-point loss at No. 4 Duke earlier this week, Pitt remains a formidable opponent, particularly at the Petersen Events Center, where they’ve been unbeatable for nearly a year.

Pitt’s offense is powered by Ishmael Legget (16.8 points per game) and Jaland Lowe (16.7), who provide instant scoring and leadership. Head coach Jeff Capel praised Legget’s ability to ignite the Panthers’ offense, calling him “one of our two best players all year long.”

While Pitt has shown vulnerability in blowout losses to Duke and Mississippi State, the Panthers have demonstrated resilience, bouncing back with a win over Virginia Tech after their earlier 33-point setback.

“Hopefully we can regroup and do that,” Capel said. “We learn from it and move on and get prepared for the next one.”

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Key Matchups and Keys to Victory

• Louisville’s Depth vs. Pitt’s Defense: The Cardinals’ ability to find contributors across the roster could pose challenges for Pitt, particularly if Hepburn and Edwards rediscover their shooting touch.
• Ishmael Legget’s Scoring: Legget’s ability to score in spurts will be crucial for Pitt, especially if the team struggles to contain Louisville’s offense.
• Home-Court Advantage: Pitt’s 15-game home winning streak provides a psychological edge, but the Panthers must recover quickly from their loss at Duke.

The Bigger Picture

Both teams have an opportunity to solidify their positions as ACC contenders. For Louisville, a road win would further validate their strong start and provide a statement victory. For Pitt, defending their home court and bouncing back from a tough loss are vital to maintaining momentum in a competitive conference race.

Expect an intense battle as two confident teams clash in a game that could set the tone for the rest of their seasons.