Louisville Cardinals vs Stanford Cardinal Picks and Predictions March 13th 2025

Louisville Faces Stanford in ACC Quarterfinals Amid Historic Turnaround

Louisville enters the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament as the hottest team in the league, riding a nine-game winning streak and looking to add another victory against Stanford in Thursday night’s quarterfinal matchup in Charlotte, N.C. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Pat Kelsey, the second-seeded Cardinals (25-6) have transformed from last year’s struggling program into a national force, currently ranked No. 13 in the country.

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Louisville’s Stunning Season Under Pat Kelsey

A year ago, Louisville ended its season in misery, limping into the ACC tournament on a seven-game losing streak before being eliminated in the first round. The program seemed lost, with no returning scholarship players and back-to-back seasons of just 12 total wins under former coach Kenny Payne.

Enter Pat Kelsey. The former Charleston coach quickly revamped the roster through the transfer portal, assembling a group of talented guards who have developed into one of the most cohesive backcourts in the nation.

“A bunch of guys are from parts all over, all over the world and didn’t know each other from anything. I asked them to love each other on day one,” Kelsey said after being named ACC Coach of the Year.

His backcourt quartet of Chucky Hepburn (Wisconsin), Terrence Edwards Jr. (James Madison), Reyne Smith (Charleston), and J’Vonne Hadley (Colorado) has been instrumental in Louisville’s success. All four players average at least 12.4 points per game, providing a balanced offensive attack that has overwhelmed opponents throughout the season.

Hepburn has been the standout, earning All-ACC First Team honors while leading the Cardinals in scoring (16.3 ppg), assists (5.9 per game), and steals (2.4 per game). His ability to control the tempo has turned Louisville into a dangerous postseason contender.

“They’ve got (maybe) the best point guard in the country,” Stanford head coach Kyle Smith said of Hepburn. “He’s been phenomenal.”

Stanford Aims for Revenge After Louisville’s Dominant Win

Stanford (20-12) advanced to the quarterfinals after surviving a 78-73 battle against California on Wednesday night. The Cardinal were led by a strong performance from Maxime Raynaud (23 points, eight rebounds) and Jaylen Blakes (21 points, six assists).

Despite allowing 37 points to Cal’s Andrej Stojakovic, Stanford closed out the game thanks to clutch three-pointers from Oziyah Sellers and Benny Gealer, along with key baskets from Chisom Okpara in the final seconds.

Thursday night’s game marks a rematch of last Saturday’s regular-season finale, which saw Louisville dismantle Stanford 68-48. In that matchup, Hepburn and Edwards each scored 16 points, while the Cardinals controlled the boards (40-33) and stifled Stanford’s offense, holding them to just 30.4 percent shooting.

“They were really good defensively that night,” Smith admitted. “I’d like to say we had open shots we missed, but there just wasn’t much breathing room.”

Injury Concerns for Louisville

While the Cardinals have been firing on all cylinders, there is one concern heading into the quarterfinals: the status of sharpshooter Reyne Smith. Smith, who set a school record with 10 three-pointers in a win over SMU earlier this season, is questionable with an ankle injury.

His absence would be a blow to Louisville’s perimeter attack, as he has knocked down 106 threes this season and played a key role in stretching defenses. However, the Cardinals have the depth to compensate, with Edwards and Hadley capable of stepping up if needed.

Stanford’s X-Factor: Maxime Raynaud

One player who could cause problems for Louisville is Stanford’s 7-foot-1 center Maxime Raynaud. He was one of the few bright spots in Stanford’s loss to the Cardinals last week, scoring 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. His ability to dominate inside and stretch the floor with his shooting makes him a unique challenge.

“He’s a problem,” Kelsey said. “He’s a major threat, going gravity toward the rim, gravity away from the rim, because he can shoot it so well.”

If Stanford hopes to pull off the upset, Raynaud will need a big game, especially with Louisville’s defense looking sharper than ever.

Louisville’s ACC Tournament Woes

Despite their dominant regular season, the Cardinals have struggled historically in the ACC tournament since joining the conference in 2014. They hold a 3-8 record in the event and have never won a quarterfinal game, going 0-4 in their previous attempts.

That stat will serve as extra motivation for Louisville, which is eager to erase past failures and establish itself as a true contender. With a veteran backcourt and a red-hot winning streak, the Cardinals have their best shot yet to make a deep run.

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Will Louisville Keep Rolling or Can Stanford Shock the ACC?

Louisville enters Thursday’s matchup as the favorite, but Stanford has proven to be a resilient team, exceeding expectations in its first season in the ACC. If Raynaud can control the paint and Stanford’s defense can disrupt Hepburn, an upset isn’t out of the question.

However, Louisville’s momentum is undeniable. With one of the most balanced and dynamic backcourts in the country, the Cardinals have all the tools to keep their winning streak alive and move one step closer to an ACC championship.

The stage is set for a thrilling showdown—will Louisville’s dream season continue, or will Stanford flip the script?