There are many compelling stories in the NCAA tournament, but none is more surprising than that of the University of Louisville. After winning just 12 games over the past two seasons and being projected to finish ninth in the Atlantic Coast Conference, they have returned to March Madness for the first time since 2019. Now, No. 8-seed Louisville (27-7) is set to face No. 9 Creighton (24-10) Thursday afternoon at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. To shed light on how first-year coach Pat Kelsey revived the program, we spoke with Bob Valvano, who, alongside his work with ESPN, is an analyst for the Cardinal Sports Network. We discussed the Cardinals’ turnaround and their upcoming matchup against Creighton.
Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Awful Announcing: Could even the most optimistic Louisville fan have dreamed of this?
Bob Valvano: “That’s a challenging question since fans can sometimes be overly optimistic. Some were saying, ‘I think this team is going to go to the second weekend.’ I thought that was quite a stretch. Nevertheless, most fans are delighted with this season for various reasons—not just the number of wins. This team has shown remarkable improvement, one of the most significant in college basketball history. They play with a joyful spirit.”
How has Pat Kelsey done it? “Pat Kelsey and his staff have been cohesive for a long time, which has helped in recruiting. They meticulously vetted players, reaching out to high school principals, coaches, and professors to learn about the athletes’ characters. They successfully brought in players who shared their mindset, leading to a team that is unselfish, cohesive, and hardworking, earning the affection of the fans.”
Could anyone have done a better job considering Kelsey was not the first choice? “They considered several candidates, like Dusty May, who had an impressive run, and Josh Schertz. But no one could have done better than Kelsey. Not only in terms of games won, but he also rebuilt trust with fans soured by past years. He’s brought in likable, approachable kids who have engaged with the community.”
How optimistic was Kelsey coming into the season? “He has a history of coaching winning teams, so he was reasonably confident. He is someone who genuinely lives in the moment, focusing on taking one game at a time while striving to improve daily without excessive concern about how good the team could be.”
Three-point shooter Reyne Smith (ankle) is returning after missing two weeks. How important is he? “He was at the ACC tournament, participating in warm-ups without a boot and showing no significant limp. They likely decided it was wiser to rest him knowing the NCAA tournament was nearing. His presence enhances the team significantly by stretching defenses and providing much-needed depth, benefiting primary players like Terrence Edwards Jr., Chucky Hepburn, and J’Vonne Hadley.”
How hurt is this Louisville team? “They have struggled with injuries all season. Koren Johnson, Kasean Pryor, Reyne Smith, and Aboubacar Traore have all faced issues, and even Noah Waterman underwent hand surgery. They’ve hardly had a fully healthy roster at any point.”
James Scott Special: ACC Tournament Edition
🔨 @LouisvilleMBB pic.twitter.com/crp63Z7ILG
— ACC Men’s Basketball (@accmbb) March 13, 2025
How does Louisville match up against Creighton? “It will be challenging. I wouldn’t say they can’t win, but Creighton has a strong defense. Louisville typically relies on scoring from the free-throw line, which could be tough against a team that rarely fouls. They have a formidable shot blocker in Ryan Kalkbrenner, which complicates driving to the basket.”
Do you have a prediction? “I abstain from making predictions. However, I believe it will be a close game. If Louisville shoots well, they have a good chance, but otherwise, Creighton could dominate since they are powerful and skilled. They’ve had some surprising losses but remain a high-quality team. Throughout the season, Louisville has consistently surprised us.”
I’m saddened to hear of the passing of my friend Junior Bridgeman. I had the privilege of playing against him, and I’ll never forget how he had one of the sweetest jump shots in the NBA. But it was his character, his kindness, and his gentle soul that truly left a lasting… pic.twitter.com/i3xa3fgWuu
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) March 11, 2025
Any updates on the status of the Jim Valvano movie? “That’s a great question. I’m unsure of the current status. A couple of individuals contacted me regarding it, and it seemed like one was close to moving forward—Ray Romano was mentioned as involved. However, I have no updates on that.”
Businessman and former Louisville player Junior Bridgeman died suddenly last week. Could you share your thoughts on him? “He exemplified everything I admire. A remarkable player in the NBA and at Louisville, he later achieved great success as a businessman and was deeply involved in the community. His passing is a tremendous loss. He leaves an irreplaceable void and will be sorely missed.”
