Louisville Cardinals vs Stanford Cardinal Picks and Predictions March 8th 2025

Louisville’s Comeback Story Hits a Defining Moment

A year ago, Louisville was rock bottom in the ACC—dead last. Now, fast forward 12 months, and the No. 14 Cardinals (24-6, 17-2 ACC) are knocking on the door of history.

If they beat Stanford on Saturday and Duke loses to North Carolina, Louisville will be crowned ACC regular-season co-champions—a mind-blowing turnaround for a team that completely overhauled its roster in the offseason.

No matter what happens next, Louisville has already clinched its first NCAA Tournament appearance in six years—a huge milestone under first-year head coach Pat Kelsey.

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Pat Kelsey’s Instant Impact: From Rebuild to Contender

Rewind to just over a year ago—Louisville cut ties with Kenny Payne after a rough 12-52 tenure. The situation was so dire that not a single scholarship player stuck around from the 2023-24 season. Kelsey had to start from scratch, building a team from the ground up.

But instead of a slow rebuild, the Cardinals took off immediately, thanks to a core of experienced transfer players who stepped up in a big way:

• Chucky Hepburn (Wisconsin) – 16.3 PPG, 4.5 APG
• Terrence Edwards (James Madison) – 15.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG
• Reyne Smith (College of Charleston) – 13.4 PPG, 42% 3PT
• J’Vonne Hadley (Colorado) – 12.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG

This squad has been on fire, riding an eight-game winning streak, including a dominant 85-68 win over Cal on Wednesday.

And it’s not just wins—it’s individual performances that have been electric. Terrence Edwards erupted for 35 points in that game, marking the fourth time this season a Louisville player has dropped 30+ points:

• Hepburn – 37 vs. Pitt
• Hadley – 32 vs. Clemson
• Smith – 30 vs. SMU

“These guys may have only worn a Louisville jersey for one season, but their impact is forever,” Kelsey said.

Stanford’s First ACC Season & the Road Ahead

While Louisville is eyeing a championship, Stanford (19-11, 11-8 ACC) wants to finish its first ACC regular season on a high note.

Wednesday’s game didn’t go their way, with Notre Dame pulling off a last-second win thanks to a clutch three from Cole Certa. But even with that loss, Stanford has secured a first-round bye in the ACC Tournament—huge for a program still adjusting to life in its new conference.

A win Saturday would give the Cardinal their first 20-win season since 2019-20, a major achievement for first-year head coach Kyle Smith.

Key Stanford Players to Watch

• Maxime Raynaud – 20.2 PPG (2nd in ACC), 10.9 RPG (1st in ACC)
• Oziyah Sellers – 13.5 PPG, 41% 3PT
• Jaylen Blakes – 13.2 PPG, 4.8 APG

Raynaud has been an absolute force, leading the ACC in rebounds (10.9 RPG) while sitting second in scoring (20.2 PPG). His battle with Louisville’s frontcourt is going to be must-watch basketball.

“It’s my fourth time taking over a program, and your seniors always set the tone,” Smith said. “These guys have been phenomenal leaders.”

Matchup Preview: What to Watch For

X-Factors That Could Decide the Game

• Can Louisville contain Maxime Raynaud inside? The 7-foot big man has been a nightmare matchup for ACC teams all season.
• Will Stanford’s three-point shooting be the equalizer? Sellers and Blakes can heat up fast.
• Can Louisville handle the pressure of playing for a title? They’ve thrived under pressure all season, but this is their biggest test yet.

The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

• Louisville leads the all-time series 2-0
• Last meeting? Louisville dominated Stanford by 20 points in the 2007 NCAA Tournament
• A Louisville win keeps their ACC title dream alive, while a Stanford win strengthens their NCAA Tournament résumé

This one’s going to be a high-stakes battle. Louisville is looking to complete a Cinderella run to an ACC championship, while Stanford is ready to play spoiler.

Saturday’s game is set up to be a thriller—get ready for some fireworks.

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