Louisville Defeats Miami in ACC Tournament Thriller

Cardinals guard Adrian Wooley leads the way with a strong performance

Mar. 12, 2026 at 5:19pm

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The Louisville Cardinals defeated the Miami Hurricanes in a close ACC Tournament matchup, with guard Adrian Wooley emerging as the star of the game. Wooley stepped up in the absence of injured teammate Mikel Brown Jr., facilitating the offense and exceeding expectations with his playmaking abilities.

Why it matters

This victory keeps Louisville's postseason hopes alive, as they look to make a deep run in the ACC Tournament. The game also showcased the Cardinals' ability to adapt and thrive without one of their key players, highlighting the team's depth and versatility.

The details

Wooley dished out 6 assists, exceeding his pre-game projection of over 2.5 assists. The Cardinals' attack-and-kick offense proved effective against Miami's defense, which struggles to defend such actions. Louisville also bounced back from a poor shooting performance in their previous game, with players like Isaac McKneely and Malik Reneau stepping up to provide scoring support.

  • The game was played on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
  • Tip-off was at 2:30 p.m. ET.

The players

Adrian Wooley

A Louisville Cardinals guard who stepped up in the absence of injured teammate Mikel Brown Jr., facilitating the offense and leading the team to victory.

Mikel Brown Jr.

A Louisville Cardinals guard who remains out due to injury, forcing the team to adjust their lineup and strategy.

Isaac McKneely

A Louisville Cardinals player who benefited from Wooley's playmaking, hitting multiple 3-pointers to contribute to the team's offensive output.

Malik Reneau

A Louisville Cardinals player who had a strong performance, scoring 18 points and drawing multiple fouls against the Miami defense.

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What they’re saying

“Adrian Wooley really stepped up and made some great plays for us today. His ability to facilitate the offense was crucial in our win.”

— Chris Mack, Head Coach, Louisville Cardinals (ESPN)

What’s next

The Louisville Cardinals will advance to the next round of the ACC Tournament, where they will face a new opponent. Their postseason hopes remain alive as they continue their quest for a deep tournament run.

The takeaway

This game showcased the depth and adaptability of the Louisville Cardinals, as they were able to overcome the absence of a key player and secure a crucial victory in the ACC Tournament. The team's ability to adjust their strategy and have multiple players step up is a testament to their coaching and the overall talent on the roster.