Andrew Pace
The Louisville Cardinals, also known as the Cards, are the NCAA athletic teams representing the University of Louisville. The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team has seen great success over the years, winning two NCAA championships in 1980 and 1986. The team has played in various conferences over the years, including the Missouri Valley Conference, the Metro Conference, Conference USA, the Big East Conference, and the American Athletic Conference. Since 2014, the Cardinals have played in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of NCAA Division I.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the basketball team | Louisville Cardinals (also known as the Cards) |
| University represented | University of Louisville |
| Current Conference | Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) |
| Previous Conference | Big East Conference |
| Number of Regular Season Big East Titles | 17 |
| Number of Big East Tournament Titles | 33 |
| Total Number of Big East Championships across all sports | 50 |
| Year of joining the Atlantic Coast Conference | 2014 |
| Number of NCAA Championships won | 2 (1980, 1986) |
| Number of appearances in the Final Four | 8 |
| Number of appearances in the NCAA tournament | 39 (or 40) |
| Number of wins in the NCAA tournament | 61 |
| Number of NIT Championships | 2 (1956, 1948) |
| Number of appearances in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) | 15 |
| Number of Conference Regular Season Championships | 23 |
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What You'll Learn
Louisville Cardinals' conference history
The Louisville Cardinals, also known as the Cards, are the NCAA athletic teams representing the University of Louisville. The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team has had a rich history in college basketball, with the Cardinals teams competing in various conferences over the years.
The Cardinals basketball tradition was established by Coach Bernard "Peck" Hickman, who led the team for 23 years without a losing season. Under Hickman, the Cardinals won the NAIB tournament in 1948, their first national championship. In the 1956 season, the team won the NIT Championship, then considered on par with the NCAA tournament.
Following Hickman's retirement, his assistant John Dromo took over as head coach in 1967. Dromo guided the Cardinals to the 1967 Missouri Valley Conference title during his four seasons as head coach. In 1970, Howard Stacey took over as interim head coach after Dromo suffered a heart attack. The Cardinals then hired Denny Crum, who became the first coach to guide the Cardinals to the NCAA Final Four in his first season. Under Crum's leadership, the Cardinals became a college basketball powerhouse, winning two NCAA Division I basketball championships (in 1980 and 1986) and appearing in six Final Fours.
During their time in the Metro Conference, the Cardinals dominated, winning 12 regular-season titles and 11 tournament championships. They then moved to the Big East Conference in 2005, where they captured 17 regular-season titles and 33 Big East Tournament titles. In 2014, the Cardinals joined the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), where they compete today.
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Rivalries
The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team, representing the University of Louisville, competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of NCAA Division I. The team has a storied history in college basketball, with two NCAA championship wins in 1980 and 1986 and a strong tradition of success.
The Louisville Cardinals basketball team has a well-known rivalry with the Kentucky Wildcats, often referred to as the Kentucky-Louisville rivalry. This rivalry has been ranked as one of the best in college basketball and all of college sports. The two teams first faced each other on the court in 1913 but played infrequently until the 1980s. Since then, they have met annually, and the rivalry has intensified as both programs have consistently been among the nation's elite men's basketball teams. The rivalry extends beyond basketball, with both schools also excelling in other sports, contributing to the passionate competition between them.
Another notable rivalry for the Louisville Cardinals is with the Cincinnati Bearcats. While not as prominent as the Kentucky rivalry, it is believed to be the oldest rivalry for the Louisville football team and the second oldest for Cincinnati. This rivalry has spanned across multiple conferences, showcasing the longevity and competitiveness of the matchup.
The Cardinals have also had notable matchups with other teams, such as UCLA and Duke, whom they defeated in the 1980 and 1986 NCAA tournament championships, respectively. These encounters, while not considered long-standing rivalries, have contributed to the competitive spirit and history of the Louisville Cardinals basketball program.
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Championship wins
The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team has won two NCAA championships, in 1980 and 1986. They defeated UCLA 59-54 to win the 1980 NCAA tournament championship. Six years later, Louisville overcame Duke 72-69 for their second title.
Denny Crum, the Louisville coach, is one of only 11 coaches to win two or more national championships. He was named National Coach of the Year in 1980, 1983 and 1986. Crum took the Cardinals to 23 NCAA tournaments, with an overall record of 43-21. The Cardinals won 12 regular season titles and 11 tournament championships while in the Metro Conference. In 1993, Crum became the second-fastest coach to reach 500 wins. He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1994 and retired in 2001 with a career record of 675-295 over 30 seasons.
Louisville is the only school in NCAA history to have a Men's Basketball National Championship vacated, along with two Final Four appearances. Their 2013 championship victory was later vacated due to NCAA sanctions.
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Coaching staff
The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team represents the University of Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of NCAA Division I. The team has had a string of successful seasons, winning two NCAA championships in 1980 and 1986. They have also made it to eight Final Fours and appeared in 39 official NCAA tournament appearances, compiling 61 tournament wins.
The team's coaching staff has played a significant role in their success over the years. Bernard "Peck" Hickman led the team to its first national championship by winning the NAIB tournament in 1948. John Dromo, Hickman's assistant for 17 years, took over as head coach in 1967 and led the Cardinals to the 1967 Missouri Valley Conference title. Dromo's assistant, Howard Stacey, stepped in as interim head coach for the 1970-71 season when Dromo had to retire due to a heart attack.
Denny Crum, hired as head coach in 1971, is considered the architect of Louisville's rise to power in college basketball. In his very first season, Crum guided the Cardinals to the NCAA Final Four, making him the first coach to achieve this feat in his inaugural season. Under Crum's leadership, the Cardinals won two national championships (1980, 1986) and reached the Final Four six times. He was named National Coach of the Year in 1980, 1983, and 1986. Crum's remarkable career culminated in his induction into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1994, and he retired in 2001, leaving behind a legacy of excellence.
The Louisville Cardinals' success on the court is a testament to the dedication and strategic guidance provided by their coaching staff. The team's history is filled with accomplished coaches who have left their mark on the program, establishing a tradition of winning that continues to inspire new generations of players and coaches alike.
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Player achievements
The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team has a rich history of player achievements. The Cardinals have officially won two NCAA championships (in 1980 and 1986) and have appeared in eight Final Fours. The team's success has been driven by outstanding individual performances throughout its history.
One of the most notable players is Charlie Tyra, who led the University of Louisville to its first NIT title in 1956. Tyra was a consensus All-American during the 1956 and 1957 seasons and was named the tournament's MVP. He is also one of only five Cardinals to record over 1,000 rebounds in his career, ranking as the all-time rebounder in University of Louisville history with 1,617 rebounds. Tyra's achievements were recognised by the university, with his number (#8) being retired.
Pervis Ellison is another standout player in the team's history. Ellison won the 1986 NCAA Tournament MOP award, leading the Cardinals to their second NCAA Tournament Championship. He was a consensus first-team All-American in 1989 and is the only Louisville player to score 2000 points and grab 1000 rebounds in his career. Ellison was drafted #1 by the Sacramento Kings in the 1989 NBA draft, showcasing his exceptional talent.
Russ Smith, the Cardinals' all-time steals leader with 275 steals, also left his mark on the program. Smith was a consensus first-team All-American in 2013-14 and received third-team All-American honours the previous year. His number (#2) was also retired by the university, honouring his achievements.
Other notable players include Wes Unseld, who was a Cardinal All-American and Washington Bullets All-Star, and Darrell Griffith, a national player of the year and consensus All-American. The achievements of these individuals have contributed to the success and legacy of the Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team.
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Frequently asked questions
The Louisville Cardinals basketball team is in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) of NCAA Division I.
Louisville joined the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2014.
Before joining the ACC, Louisville played in the Big East Conference from 2005 to 2013.
