Preview: Louisville Cardinals vs. Texas Longhorns

Louisville Cardinals (2-1, 0-0 ACC) vs. Texas Longhorns (3-0, 0-0 Big 12)

- Tipoff: Sunday, November 19 at 3:30 p.m. EST
- Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City, N.Y.
- How To Watch: ESPN
- How To Listen: 93.9 FM
- Betting Favorite: Texas -15.0 (KenPom)
- All-Time Series: Louisville leads 4-1
- Last Meeting: Louisville won 78-63 on Mar. 21, 1997 (NCAA Tournament: Carrier Dome - Syracuse, N.Y.)

Projected Starting Lineups

Louisville

G Skyy Clark (6-3, 205, So.)
G Tre White (6-7, 205, So.)
G/F Mike James (6-5, 200, R-So.)
F J.J. Traynor (6-8, 190, Sr.)
F Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (6-10, 240, Jr.)

Texas

G Max Abmas (6-0, 175, Gr.)
G Tyrese Hunter (6-0, 175, Jr.)
G Ithiel Horton (6-5, 200, Gr.)
F Dillon Mitchell (6-8, 205, So.)
F Kadin Shedrick (6-11, 231, Gr.)

Comparison

See how the Cardinals stack up against the Longhorns, and who the statistical models favor: Tale of The Tape, Predictions: Louisville vs. Texas

Game Notes

Louisville

The Cardinals have a storied history in Madison Square Garden with 53 games played in the historic venue. Several members of the staff, including head coach Kenny Payne, also have familiarity with the arena and city in their previous roles with the NBA’s New York Knicks.
This will be Louisville’s first game against a ranked opponent this season. The Cardinals have won 45 of their last 108 games against AP ranked opponents. Louisville has a 62-76 record against Top 25 teams over the last 13 years.
Louisville’s 41 points allowed against Coppin State on Wednesday were its fewest surrendered since Dec. 5, 2018, against Central Arkansas. It’s just the third time since 2016 that they’ve allowed 41 points or fewer in a game.
As of Friday, the Cardinals ranked third in the ACC and 41st in the country with 44.3 rebounds per game. They rank second in the ACC and rank 16th nationally in offensive rebounds per game (17.0). Junior forward Brandon Huntley-Hatfield is ranked 35th in the country in rebounds per game (10.3), and 24th in offensive rebounds per game (4.0).
Louisville has been outscored by 42 points from the 3-point line in its first three games, but the Cardinals have found success inside, outscoring their three opponents 122-84 in the paint.
This trip is also a homecoming for freshman guard Ty-Laur Johnson, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. As a high school senior, Johnson attended Our Saviour Lutheran School in the Bronx.
Last game: Louisville overcame inconsistent play on both ends of the court for a blowout victory, taking down Coppin State 61-41.
KEY FIRST HALF RUN: The Cardinals closed the half out on a 13-3 run, starting at 6:30 and elapsing 6:30 of game time as Louisville took a 32-21 lead into the locker room.
KEY SECOND HALF RUN: Louisville reeled off an 8-0 run early in the second half that started at 18:39 and elapsed 2:46, putting the Cardinals in control at 40-23.
Coppin State came within 14 with 14:08 left, but that was as close as the Eagles would get for the rest of the night.
UofL shot 22 of 56 (39.3%) from the field, 6 of 21 (28.6%) from 3-point range, and 11 of 14 (78.6%) from the free-throw line.
The Cardinals controlled the glass, earning a 45-33 edge in the rebound battle, including 14 offensive rebounds.
Coppin State’s 41 points are the least the Cardinals have allowed since an 86-41 win over Central Arkansas on December 5, 2018, and just the third time the Cardinals have allowed 41 points or less since 2016.
The 61-41 win is the first time Louisville has won by 20+ points in non-exhibition play since defeating Southeastern Louisiana 86-60 on December 14, 2021.
Louisville led for 34:50 of the game tonight, while only trailing for 2:02.

Texas

The Longhorns have topped the 80-point mark in each of their first three contests and are averaging 84.7 ppg while converting 54.3-percent (89- 164) from the floor, including a 45.7-percent clip (32-70) from three-point range. Texas has reached double digits in 3-pointers made in all three contests this season.
Texas has held its first three opponents to a combined 20.4-percent mark (11-54) from three-point range. In Wednesday’s win against Rice, the Longhorns limited the Owls to a 4-of-22 (.182) mark from beyond the arc.
Sophomore F Dillon Mitchell is averaging a team-best 10.0 rpg and has reached double digits in rebounds in each of the last two contests. Mitchell grabbed a career-best 13 rebounds in Wednesday’s win against Rice.
Against Rice, Texas converted a season-best 60.4-percent (29-48) from the fl oor, including a 45.5-percent (10-22) mark from three-point range, during the win. Th e Longhorns have topped the 50-percent mark from the fl oor in each of their fi rst three contests.
UT hit 10-of-22 (.455) from three-point range and has reached double digits in three-pointers made in each of the fi rst three contests.
Texas held the Owls to 38.3-percent FG shooting (23-60), including an 18.2-percent (4-22) mark from three-point range.
The Longhorns registered a plus-10 rebound margin (37-27).
UT posted 17 assists on 29 fi eld goals made. Four different Longhorns had at least three assists in the win.
Texas converted 60.9-percent (14-23) from the floor, including a 6-of-11 mark (.545) from beyond the arc, in the opening 20 minutes while building a 41-32 halftime lead.
Max Abmas reached double figures in scoring (13 points) for the third time this year (3 games) and 115th time in his career (126 games).
Brock Cunningham tied his career high in blocked shots (2). He added eight points (3-5 FG, 2-3 threes), six boards (three offensive), three assists and three steals and registered a plus-minus total of plus-15 in 31 minutes.
Tyrese Hunter reached double figures in scoring (team-high 18 points) for the third time this year (3 games) and 43rd time in his career (76 games).
Dillon Mitchell set his career highs in rebounds (13) and minutes (34). He tied his career high in blocked shots (2). Mitchell reached double figures in rebounds for the second time this year (3 games) and fourth time in his career (41 games).
Kadin Shedrick reached double figures in scoring (15 points) for the second time this year (3 games) and 24th time in his career (79 games). He converted the second 3-pointer of his collegiate career. Shedrick went 1-of-7 from three-point range during his time at Virginia.

(Photo of Brandon Huntley-Hatfield: Jamie Rhodes - USA TODAY Sports)

You can follow Louisville Report for future coverage by liking us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram:

Facebook - @LouisvilleReport
Twitter - @UofLReport
Instagram - @louisville_report

You can also follow Deputy Editor Matthew McGavic at @Matt_McGavic on Twitter