Louisville Cardinals vs California Golden Bears Picks and Predictions March 5th 2025

No. 14 Louisville Looks to Stay Red-Hot Against Cal

The Louisville Cardinals (23-5, 14-3 ACC) are one of the hottest teams in college basketball, having won 17 of their last 18 games. They are in the thick of the ACC title race and will look to extend their seven-game winning streak when they host the California Golden Bears (13-16, 6-12 ACC) on Wednesday night.

This is the middle game of a three-game homestand for Louisville, which is surging at the right time as the regular season nears its end.

Louisville’s Offense Firing on All Cylinders

The Cardinals are coming off a 79-68 victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday, a game that was dominated by Chucky Hepburn’s career night.

The Wisconsin transfer erupted for 37 points, including 24 in the first half, while hitting a perfect 6-for-6 from three-point range. No player in the ACC has scored more points in a single half this season, earning Hepburn ACC Player of the Week honors.

Head coach Pat Kelsey had high praise for his star guard after the performance.

“Chucky had a game that he’s going to tell his grandchildren about,” Kelsey said. “That stretch of four minutes before half was amazing … it kind of looked like Steph Curry out there. I played basketball my whole life and I’ve never been in a zone like that.”

While Hepburn leads the team in scoring (16.3 PPG) and assists (6.0 APG), he has plenty of help.

James Madison transfer Terrence Edwards Jr. (15.1 PPG) has adapted well to ACC play, while Reyne Smith (13.8 PPG) and J’Vonne Hadley (12.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG) provide additional scoring and rebounding depth.

Fan Support Returning to Louisville

Louisville’s recent resurgence under first-year coach Kelsey has reinvigorated the program, bringing fans back to the KFC Yum! Center.

Saturday’s win over Pittsburgh drew a crowd of 18,459, the largest home attendance of the season in the 22,000-seat arena.

“This team reflects the character, the toughness, the grit of the city of Louisville,” Kelsey said.

It’s been a long road back for the program, but with March Madness on the horizon, excitement is growing in Louisville once again.

Cal Adjusting to Life in the ACC

While Louisville is trending up, California has faced its share of struggles in its first season playing in an East Coast-based conference.

The Golden Bears secured their spot in the ACC Tournament with an 82-71 win over Boston College on Saturday.

Michigan State transfer Mady Sissoko delivered a career-high 21 points and 15 rebounds, while Grand Canyon transfer Jovan Blacksher Jr. added 18 points and four assists.

Cal dominated the paint, scoring 38 points inside and shooting 49.2% from the field.

Now, the Golden Bears embark on a brutal road trip, facing Louisville on Wednesday, then heading to Notre Dame on Saturday before flying straight to Charlotte for the ACC Tournament next week.

Head coach Mark Madsen acknowledged the challenge of constant cross-country travel.

“It’s a big challenge and it’s something we’re getting acclimated to and figuring out on the fly,” Madsen said. “I’ve never had this type of travel, not even in the NBA.”

The adjustment has been difficult, but Cal is determined to finish the season strong.

What’s at Stake?

For Louisville, a win would extend their winning streak, strengthen their push for an ACC title, and boost their NCAA Tournament seeding.

For California, this is a chance to build momentum before the ACC Tournament and prove that it can compete against top-tier teams in its new conference.

Dive into the Latest Analysis Revealing Which College Hoops Programs Are Leading the Championship Odds

Series History

This is only the second-ever meeting between the programs.

Cal won the first matchup 15 years ago, beating Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 2009.

With Louisville in peak form and playing in front of a roaring home crowd, the Cardinals will look to keep rolling and continue their dominance heading into March.