"A NCAA tournament win by first-year head coaches at West Virginia, Utah State, Louisville and Ohio State would make the supporters of those programs feel as if they were ahead-of-schedule in their respective rebuilding efforts," staff writer Myron Medcalf wrote.

Pat Kelsey's Louisville Cardinals have solidified themselves as bona fide contenders – in ACC play and for their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2019.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Capping off a crucial week in terms of boosting their NCAA Tournament resume, the Louisville men's basketball program has their toughest remaining road game up next, traveling to the Steel City for a showdown at Pitt.

Louisville is looking to continue its four-game win streak with a victory against Pittsburgh. The Panthers are 6-2 on their home court. Pittsburgh is 4-5 in games decided by 10 points or more. The Cardinals have gone 3-1 against ACC opponents.