CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Chucky Hepburn delivered the most thrilling moment of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) men's basketball tournament on Thursday night, sinking a last-second jumper to propel the No. 13 Louisville Cardinals past Stanford 75-73. His clutch shot capped off what was, by all accounts, the largest comeback of the season for the Cardinals, showcasing the resilience and tenacity of the squad.
Playing at the Spectrum Center, the Cardinals trailed by as much as 15 points with just under 15 minutes remaining. Yet, fueled by strong performances from Terrence Edwards and Hepburn, they clawed their way back before securing their first postseason victory since 2022.
Edwards led the charge with 25 points, highlighted by some key baskets during the comeback. Hepburn added 20 points, along with eight assists, playing a pivotal role not just as a scorer but also as a facilitator. He was instrumental during the closing moments, taking advantage of his ability to create shots and find teammates.
Stanford initially established control, leading 33-30 at halftime and extending their lead to 52-37 early in the second half. This lead was bolstered by the Cardinal's impressive running game, which included an 11-0 spurt, leaving Louisville seeming vulnerable.
But as the game progressed, Louisville's performance shifted dramatically. A timeout called by head coach Pat Kelsey seemed to reignite the team's ambition. Following the timeout, Louisville unleashed their own powerful run, outscoring Stanford with 23-8 over the span of just under seven minutes, tying the game at 60 with 7:23 remaining.
During this pivotal stretch, Hepburn, Edwards, and teammate James Scott combined for 21 points, quickly erasing the deficit. Not only did the team's offense surge, but their defense also tightened significantly, holding Stanford to just six field goals for the remainder of the half.
With strategic plays and timely offensive boards, including one by Hepburn himself, Louisville managed to take control late, leading 73-65 with just 1:56 left on the scoreboard. Despite this, Stanford stormed back, fueled by key plays from Oziyah Sellers, who finished with 22 points, and Maxime Raynaud, adding 17 points. A three-point play by Chisom Okpara with just 32 seconds left tied the game, setting the stage for Hepburn’s dramatic finale.
After Edwards missed what could have been the game-winning three-pointer, the ball rebounded off several players and fell to Hepburn, who released his shot just before the buzzer sounded. The arena erupted as the ball found its mark, securing the nail-biting victory for Louisville.
“It just felt right, and I didn’t think too much about it. Just made the shot,” Hepburn said after the game, reflecting the confidence and poise he exhibited under pressure.
This victory marks not only Louisville's first triumph in the ACC tournament since they joined the league but also signifies their reach to the semifinals for the first time. With the win, Louisville stretches their winning streak to ten games and raises their overall record to 26-6 for the season.
Next up, Louisville is set to face either No. 3 Clemson or No. 6 SMU on Friday night at about 9:30 p.m. EST, pitting the Cardinals against another significant opponent as they seek to build on this thrilling momentum.
Fans were not only cheering for the players but also for former Cardinal star Junior Bridgeman, whose memory was honored with JB patches sewn onto the team's uniforms after his recent passing. The victory served as both tribute and celebration of basketball tradition at Louisville, as the team seeks to solidify its rebounding reputation within the ACC.
With this win, the Cardinals have proven their capability to perform under pressure and their readiness for the challenges of both the ACC finals and the upcoming NCAA tournament. The Cardinals are clearly on course to leave their mark this March.