LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Observing Louisville’s game against North Carolina State in Raleigh felt akin to watching a boxer flawlessly strike a speed bag.

In a commanding 91-66 victory for Louisville, the offensive onslaught never ceased. The Wolfpack entered the matchup boasting a home defense that had not surrendered more than 74 points in any game – and that only occurred during overtime.

Louisville reached that point total with roughly seven minutes remaining. Their only minor hiccup during the game occurred in the first half after they established a double-digit advantage. It appeared as though they may have lost focus momentarily.

However, Louisville delivered a decisive blow at the end of the half when Chucky Hepburn, back in action after missing the previous game against Miami, made a pivotal steal and scored. Following a short timeout, Reyne Smith was found for a deep three-pointer, propelling Louisville to a 41-27 halftime lead.

Some may argue that N.C. State is struggling, having lost eight consecutive games before this match. Yet, it’s noteworthy that half of those defeats were by single digits, illustrating they were not being overwhelmingly defeated. Kansas triumphed over them by 15 points, Purdue by 10, and Duke by 10 at home.

Louisville’s performance was exceptional, marking their largest margin of victory in Raleigh and equaling the record for either team in the series. This win also marks a milestone in school history, being the first time a Louisville squad has achieved five victories by 20 points or more on opponents’ home grounds.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when every player on Louisville has a stellar shooting performance, this game showcased just that.

“Winning on the road in college basketball is no small feat,” said Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey. “These players have continued to prepare diligently and execute the game plan. N.C. State features a collection of athletic and skilled attacking guards, and we focused on effectively guarding the ball, tightening our defense and shutting down their driving opportunities. Our players did a commendable job of this. Khani Rooths particularly contributed in the second half after limited play in the first. We had multiple players in double figures — Kader (Traore) just missed with nine. We distributed the ball well, worked cohesively, hit our shots, and maintained solid defensive play.”

The Cardinals boasted an impressive shooting percentage of 63.6% for the game, knocking down 11 of 19 attempts from three-point range. They outpaced N.C. State 21-10 in fast break points and dominated the paint, scoring 46-16.

Smith led the scoring with 21 points and connected on 5 of 9 three-pointers. Terrence Edwards also contributed 21 points, hitting all four of his attempts from long range. J’Vonne Hadley scored 17 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the floor, while Chucky Hepburn added 15 points on 5-7 shooting along with six assists.

“Chucky managed the game well,” Kelsey remarked. “He seemed to come through unscathed. I wouldn’t trade him for any point guard in the country. His leadership is invaluable; he’s a true competitor, exceptional on both ends of the court. I anticipated his success, but he continually exceeds expectations. He deserves a spot among the nation’s elite point guards.”

While the Cardinals had a few more turnovers than preferred, in a 25-point victory, concerns were minimal.

Former Cardinal Brandon Huntley-Hatfield made his return after a three-game absence, contributing four points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.

Kelsey also highlighted James Scott’s effort. Despite suffering facial injuries, he was determined to play. Kelsey mentioned that Scott kept in touch with the coaching staff right from the dentist’s chair to assure them of his readiness. A specially designed mask by engineers at U of L’s Speed School of Engineering aided his participation. Kelsey humorously described it as “a Hannibal Lecter-type thing.”

“James is local, so playing here holds special significance for him,” Kelsey noted. “His mother and grandfather are present, the latter being a veteran, which made his presence during the game even more meaningful. It’s incredibly heartwarming to see him thrive on such a significant stage.”

With this victory, Louisville improves to 19-6 overall and 12-2 in the ACC (7-1 in league road contests), surpassing their total conference wins from the past three seasons combined.

Next, the Cardinals will head to Notre Dame on Sunday, aiming to achieve the milestone of 20 wins for the first time since 2020.

Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.