The Louisville men’s basketball team climbed to No. 10 in the first regular-season Associated Press Top 25 poll released Monday, 247Sports reported.
After opening the preseason at No. 11, the Cardinals secured their spot in the top 10 following two dominant victories in their opening week. The program’s ascent comes as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) maintains a strong presence in the national rankings, with Louisville joining No. 2 Duke and No. 6 Virginia in the top 10.
Dominant scoring runs define early season
Pat Kelsey's squad scored heavily during their recent performance at the KFC Yum! Center. Following an 84-70 win over Chattanooga on Nov. 2, the Cardinals dismantled Morehead State with a 107-57 victory on Saturday.
During that win against the Eagles, Louisville orchestrated a 33-point unanswered run in the second half. According to 247Sports, this represents the longest scoring run the program has recorded since it began tracking such streaks in the 2001-02 season.
Louisville moves up one spot to No. 10 in today's AP Top 25 College Basketball poll, marking the Cards' 307th week in the Top 10. That ranks 7th for most Top 10 appearances. The Cards have been in the Top 10 in 23% of AP college basketball polls all-time.https://t.co/HByhwegKtH
Freshman center Obinna Ekezie Jr. played a central role in the blowout, leading seven different Cardinals to double-digit scoring. Ekezie Jr. finished the game with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
Women’s basketball maintains top 10 standing
The Louisville women’s basketball program also saw stability in the latest WBB AP Poll, holding steady at No. 7. The team currently carries a 3-0 record.
The Cardinals have achieved a rare level of dominance in their opening matchups. Per ESPN, the team has recorded consecutive wins by at least 50 points, a feat they have not accomplished since the period of Dec. 7-14, 2013.
The upcoming road test in Memphis
The men's team plays Memphis this Sunday for their first road game of the season. The Tigers enter the matchup with notable momentum, having secured wins over VCU and then-No. 18 Iowa State.
Memphis currently leads all teams outside the Top 25 with 97 voting points. The Tigers are scheduled to visit No. 22 Vanderbilt on Tuesday before hosting Louisville at the FedExForum.
Sunday’s matchup between Louisville and Memphis is scheduled to tip off at 1 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN.