ACC Basketball power rankings: Clemson, UNC tumbles, does Louisville rise?

Louisville guard El Ellis ACC Basketball El Ellis Jj Traynor

14. Louisville Cardinals – 3-20 (1-11)

For the first time since the start of the ACC Basketball power rankings this season, Louisville isn’t in last place. That’s probably going to change sooner than later but the team and head coach Kenny Payne deserves some credit for finally getting a league win.

It was at home against Georgia Tech and easily the best opportunity for the Cardinals to get the victory. And they took advantage, getting an early lead and pushing it out towards double-digits to end up with the 68-58 breakthrough win. Jae’lyn Withers was the star of the game, scoring a game-high 19 points and 13 rebounds, one of four players in double figures. Freshman Kamari Lands also had an impact off the bench, producing 11 points and five rebounds in 25 minutes.

Things didn’t go as smoothly in the next game against Florida State at home, trailing by as much as 20 points. However, the Cardinals made a shocking late push, closing the gap to a one-possession game. Unfortunately, they ran out of time to end up with an 81-78 defeat. El Ellis had 22 points and seven assists to lead the way, while Lands had another 15 points off the bench.

Louisville’s offense seems to have found some momentum but will they be able to take it on the road? They face Pittsburgh and Miami up next, with the Panthers having a 21-point win over the Cardinals a month ago.