FORT WORTH, TX — Scott Drew, the prominent Baylor basketball coach, was initially a leading candidate to take over at Louisville following Kenny Payne’s departure in the spring of 2024. However, Drew chose to remain with the Bears, leading the Cardinals to hire Pat Kelsey instead.
Kelsey, now at the helm of the 23rd-ranked Louisville Cardinals (18-6, 8-4 ACC), shared his admiration for Drew ahead of today’s matchup at Dickies Arena against Baylor (13-11, 3-9 Big 12). “He just seems like a guy who wins — and wins at a high level — and does it the right way. People really respect him and like him,” Kelsey expressed on Friday.
Louisville extended its winning streak to four games with an impressive 118-77 victory over N.C. State on Monday. During that game, freshman Mikel Brown Jr. set a program record, scoring 45 points and making 10 three-pointers. Alongside senior Ryan Conwell, who poured in 31 points, they made history as the first duo in Cardinals history to each score over 30 points in a single game.
Kelsey praised his team’s mentality, stating, “You’re only as good as your next one. I like how our guys responded to success the other day, having a big win and not changing, not blinking.”
As today’s game unfolds, it presents a Quad 1 opportunity for Louisville, with Baylor ranked 44th in KenPom.com’s adjusted efficiency rankings and 46th in the NET. However, projections from BartTorvik.com suggest Baylor is in jeopardy of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. The Bears are coming off a narrow loss to No. 22 BYU, where they fell 99-94.
The two programs have faced off only once previously, during the Battle 4 Atlantis championship on November 25, 2016, where Baylor staged a remarkable comeback to win 66-63 against Rick Pitino’s final Louisville team.
Baylor’s roster has experienced a significant overhaul, lacking continuity from last season’s squad. Nevertheless, it boasts two prospects, Cameron Carr and Tounde Yessoufou, both of whom are listed among ESPN’s top 100 NBA draft candidates, highlighting their potential.
Kelsey acknowledged the danger posed by Baylor and their Hall of Fame coach, saying, “They’re dangerous. And they’ve got a Hall of Fame coach. He’s not in yet — but he will be.”
As the game begins, Louisville starts with Mikel Brown Jr., Isaac McKneely, Ryan Conwell, J’Vonne Hadley, and Sananda Fru, while Baylor counters with Obi Agbim, Isaac Williams, Tounde Yessoufou, Cameron Carr, and Caden Powell.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN, and for those without cable, alternative streaming options are available. Betting odds show Louisville favored by 6½ points, with a projected over/under of 163½ points, while analytics suggest a favorable outcome for the Cardinals, predicting a high-scoring affair.
As both teams vie for a crucial victory, this matchup promises to offer excitement and critical implications for their respective seasons.