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No. 24 Louisville Soars, Baylor Struggles Ahead of Matchup
The Cardinals and Bears will face off in a key non-conference tilt with NCAA Tournament implications on the line.
Published on Feb. 13, 2026
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No. 24 Louisville has won four straight and six of its last seven games, shoring up its status as a near-certain NCAA Tournament team. Meanwhile, Baylor has lost six of its past eight games and may not even be considered a bubble team with its 3-9 record in Quad 1 games. The high-scoring affair could come down to Louisville's balanced offense against Baylor's reliance on a short rotation.
Why it matters
This non-conference matchup between Louisville and Baylor has significant NCAA Tournament implications. Louisville is looking to solidify its standing as a tournament team, while Baylor is fighting to stay in the conversation. The game could also provide insight into how these two teams stack up against top competition outside their respective conferences.
The details
Louisville is led by freshman sensation Mikel Brown Jr., who tied the school's single-game scoring record with 45 points in a rout of NC State on Monday. Brown has struggled with his 3-point shooting since returning from injury, but he found his stroke against the Wolfpack, connecting on 10 triples. The Cardinals feature seven players who average seven or more points per game, led by Ryan Conwell's 18.9 ppg. Baylor, on the other hand, has relied heavily on a short rotation, with its starters logging heavy minutes. The Bears have remained competitive against top Big 12 teams, but depth has been an issue, especially with the recent injury to Dan Skillings Jr.
- The game will be played on Saturday.
- Louisville has won four straight and six of its last seven games.
- Baylor has lost six of its past eight games.
The players
Mikel Brown Jr.
A freshman sensation for Louisville who tied the school's single-game scoring record with 45 points in a recent win over NC State.
Ryan Conwell
Louisville's leading scorer, averaging 18.9 points per game.
Tounde Yessoufou
Baylor's leading scorer, averaging 18.5 points per game.
Cameron Carr
Baylor's second-leading scorer, averaging 19.8 points per game.
Dan Skillings Jr.
A Baylor player who has missed the past three games due to a knee injury.
What they’re saying
“They didn't listen to the thump, thump, thump. The noise, the rat poison. And we're not going to do it after winning a big game tonight by a lot.”
— Pat Kelsey, Louisville Head Coach (Courier Journal)
“I think most coaches will tell you, when you're tired, you're going to give it up somewhere. Might be shot selection. Might be defense.”
— Scott Drew, Baylor Head Coach (Courier Journal)
What’s next
The winner of this game will likely improve its standing for an NCAA Tournament bid, while the loser may find itself on the bubble or on the outside looking in.
The takeaway
This non-conference matchup between two teams heading in opposite directions will provide a crucial test for both programs as they look to solidify their postseason aspirations. Louisville's balanced offense will be put to the test against Baylor's short-handed rotation, making for an intriguing clash of styles with significant implications.
