Louisville Basketball Scores Big Win at Baylor

Victory serves as dress rehearsal for new coach Pat Kelsey ahead of March Madness

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In a high-profile matchup, the Louisville basketball team defeated Baylor on the road, providing new head coach Pat Kelsey with a valuable test run before the critical March Madness tournament.

Why it matters

Louisville's victory over the reigning national champion Baylor Bears is an important early-season win for new head coach Pat Kelsey, who will be judged largely on his team's performance in the NCAA Tournament.

The details

Louisville's win over Baylor, led by veteran coach Scott Drew, showcased the Cardinals' ability to win a tough road game against a top-tier opponent. The victory serves as a dress rehearsal for Kelsey and his team ahead of the high-stakes March Madness tournament, where Louisville will look to make a deep run.

  • The game took place on February 14, 2026.

The players

Pat Kelsey

The head coach of the Louisville basketball team, hired two years ago to replace Kenny Payne.

Scott Drew

The head coach of the Baylor Bears, who led the team to the 2021 national title.

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What they’re saying

“Pat Kelsey knew he wasn't the first coach Louisville basketball pursued before his hire two years ago and even made light of it during his introductory news conference.”

— C.L. Brown, Sports Columnist (courier-journal.com)

What’s next

Louisville will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for the upcoming March Madness tournament, where they will aim to make a deep run and potentially win the national championship.

The takeaway

This early-season victory over the reigning national champions serves as an important confidence boost for Pat Kelsey and the Louisville basketball team as they set their sights on making a splash in the NCAA Tournament.