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Post-Regular Season Louisville Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament Projections
Mar 8, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Chucky Hepburn (24) blows a kiss to the crowd during the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Stanford 68-48. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

The Louisville men's basketball program is heading into the postseason with some real wind in their sails.

Ahead of this week's ACC Tournament, the second-seeded Cardinals have won nine consecutive games, and are winners in 19 of their last 20 games overall. Louisville will get their run in the ACC Tournament started this Thursday, Mar. 13 at 7:00 p.m. EST against Stanford, Virginia Tech or Clemson.

As you can imagine, first year head coach Pat Kelsey has Louisville in a very good standing for the NCAA Tournament. According to BracketMatrix, a website that averages out several dozen NCAA Tournament projections among major "bracketologists," the Cardinals average out to a six seed in their most recent update (Mar. 10).

So where do some of these projections have Louisville going for the Big Dance? Below is a sampling from some of the more noteworthy NCAA Tournament projectors.

Selection Sunday is set for Sunday, Mar. 16, with the First Four set for Mar. 18-19. The first and second rounds are scheduled for Mar. 20-23, with the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight slated for Mar. 27-30. The Final Four from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Tex. will take place on Apr. 5, with the national championship set for Apr. 7.

Sports Illustrated

  • Projector: Kevin Sweeney
  • Seed/Region: No. 6 in West
  • First Round Matchup: No. 11 UC San Diego
  • Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 14 Arkansas State
  • Region's Top Four Seeds: Florida, Michigan State, Texas A&M, Clemson

ESPN

  • Projector: Joe Lunardi
  • Seed/Region: No. 7 in Midwest
  • First Round Matchup: No. 10 Drake
  • Second Round Pairing: No. 2 Alabama vs. No. 15 Wofford
  • Region's Top Four Seeds: Houston, Alabama, St. John's, Wisconsin

CBS

  • Projector: Jerry Palm
  • Seed/Region: No. 7 in South
  • First Round Matchup: No. 10 Vanderbilt
  • Second Round Pairing: No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 15 Central Connecticut
  • Region's Top Four Seeds: Auburn, Michigan State, Iowa State, Oregon

The Athletic

  • Projector: Joe Rexrode
  • Seed/Region: No. 7 in South
  • First Round Matchup: No. 10 Arkansas
  • Second Round Pairing: No. 2 Texas Tech vs. No. 15 Robert Morris
  • Region's Top Four Seeds: Auburn, Texas Tech, Kentucky, Maryland

USA Today

  • Projector: Erick Smith
  • Seed/Region: No. 6 in Midwest
  • First Round Matchup: No. 11 Boise State/Ohio State
  • Second Round Pairing: No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 14 Northern Colorado
  • Region's Top Four Seeds: Houston, Michigan State, Texas A&M, Kentucky

SBNation

  • Projector: Chris Dobbertean
  • Seed/Region: No. 4 in South
  • First Round Matchup: No. 13 Lipscomb
  • Second Round Pairing: No. 5 Michigan vs. No. 12 McNeese State
  • Region's Top Four Seeds: Auburn, Michigan State, Texas A&M, Louisville

BracketVille

  • Projector: Dave Ommen
  • Seed/Region: No. 7 in South
  • First Round Matchup: No. 10 Arkansas
  • Second Round Pairing: No. 2 Michigan State vs. No. 15 Robert Morris
  • Region's Top Four Seeds: Auburn, Michigan State, Kentucky, Purdue
  • Projector: Tim Krueger
  • Seed/Region: No. 8 in Midwest
  • First Round Matchup: No. 9 New Mexico
  • Second Round Pairing: No. 1 Houston vs. No. 16 Norfolk State
  • Region's Top Four Seeds: Houston, Alabama, Kentucky, Maryland

On3

  • Projector: James Fletcher III
  • Seed/Region: No. 5 in East
  • First Round Matchup: No. 12 McNeese State
  • Second Round Pairing: No. 2 Kentucky vs. No. 15 Central Connecticut
  • Region's Top Four Seeds: Duke, Kentucky, St. John's, Maryland

Seeds Only

  • Fox Sports' Mike DeCourcy: No. 6
  • Sporting News' Bill Bender: No. 6

You can follow Louisville Cardinals On SI for future coverage by liking us on Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram:

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You can also follow Deputy Editor Matthew McGavic at @Matt_McGavic on Twitter/X and @mattmcgavic.bsky.social on Bluesky


This article first appeared on Louisville Cardinals on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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