No. 21 Louisville Looks to Bounce Back Against Georgia Tech

Cardinals aim to regain footing after loss to SMU as they host struggling Yellow Jackets

Feb. 28, 2026 at 3:39pm

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No. 21 Louisville is looking to rebound from a costly loss to SMU when they host Georgia Tech on Saturday. The Cardinals had been on a hot streak, winning seven of eight, before falling 95-85 to SMU on Tuesday. Louisville has the highest-scoring offense in the ACC, led by Mikel Brown Jr.'s 18.6 points per game, but committed a season-high 17 turnovers against SMU. Georgia Tech has lost eight straight games and will be a significant underdog against the Cardinals, who had won 14 of the previous 16 matchups before losing to the Yellow Jackets last season.

Why it matters

Louisville is vying for position in the crowded top half of the ACC standings, so this game represents an important opportunity to bounce back from the costly loss to SMU. Georgia Tech has been one of the weaker teams in the conference this season, making this a chance for Louisville to regain its footing before facing a tough stretch of games against teams ahead of them in the standings.

The details

Louisville (19-7, 8-5 ACC) had its seven-of-eight winning streak snapped with the loss to SMU, in which the Cardinals committed a season-high 17 turnovers. SMU shot 58.5% from the field, the most points Louisville has allowed in two seasons under coach Pat Kelsey. The Cardinals have the highest-scoring offense in the ACC at 86.8 points per game, led by Mikel Brown Jr.'s 18.6 points per contest. Georgia Tech (11-16, 2-12) has lost eight straight games, with the margin being 14 or more points in six of those contests. The Yellow Jackets are led by Kowacie Reeves Jr. (15.2 ppg) and Baye Ndongo (12.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg).

  • Louisville lost to Georgia Tech 77-70 last season.
  • Louisville has won 14 of the previous 16 matchups with Georgia Tech.

The players

Mikel Brown Jr.

Louisville's leading scorer, averaging 18.6 points per game.

Ryan Conwell

One of five double-digit scorers for Louisville, averaging 18.4 points per game.

J'Vonne Hadley

Louisville's sharpshooter, averaging 10.9 points per game and shooting 43.6% from 3-point range.

Kowacie Reeves Jr.

Georgia Tech's leading scorer, averaging 15.2 points per game and shooting 45.5% from the field.

Baye Ndongo

Georgia Tech's second-leading scorer, averaging 12.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.

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What they’re saying

“We had 17 turnovers, which is uncharacteristic of our team. But you can't defend like that, turn the ball over like that, that's a recipe for losing a conference game on the road.”

— Pat Kelsey, Louisville Head Coach (Kentucky.statenews.net)

“After a while, it's not even about winning and losing ... I'm looking to see what we're made of. I can't put the jersey on and run up and down no more. So, sometimes I just want to see a little bit more fight. That's all. And that for me is, at times, the disappointing thing.”

— Damon Stoudamire, Georgia Tech Head Coach (Kentucky.statenews.net)

What’s next

Louisville will look to regain its footing against Georgia Tech before facing a tough stretch of games against teams ahead of them in the ACC standings.

The takeaway

This game represents an important opportunity for No. 21 Louisville to bounce back from a costly loss and solidify its position in the crowded top half of the ACC standings, while Georgia Tech will try to pull off the upset and end its eight-game losing streak.