North Carolina Edges Louisville in Close Contest
Monday, February 23, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Dean E. Smith Center
North Carolina Tar Heels 77, Louisville Cardinals 74, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Louisville Cardinals vs North Carolina Tar Heels?
North Carolina Tar Heels beat Louisville Cardinals 77-74 at Dean E. Smith Center on February 23, 2026.
Who was favored in Louisville Cardinals vs North Carolina Tar Heels?
Louisville Cardinals were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -192 (about 66% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup at the Dean E. Smith Center, the North Carolina Tar Heels emerged victorious over the Louisville Cardinals with a final score of 77-74. This game was notable as it marked a significant win for North Carolina, who had previously lost to Louisville earlier in the season. The Tar Heels improved their overall record to 23-6, while the Cardinals fell to 20-9.
Both teams entered the game with solid recent form, but North Carolina had a slight edge, winning seven of their last ten games, while Louisville had won eight of their last ten. North Carolina's last five games showed a record of 3-2, with an average of 70.2 points scored and 70.8 points allowed. In contrast, Louisville's last five games boasted a record of 4-1, with a much higher scoring average of 92.0 points and 78.6 points allowed.
At home, North Carolina had an impressive record of 4-0 in their last four games, while Louisville's away record stood at 3-2. The Tar Heels had been averaging 78.3 points scored and allowing 73.9 points over their last ten games. In contrast, the Cardinals were averaging 86.1 points scored and allowing 74.5 points during the same stretch. This difference in scoring averages highlighted the offensive capabilities of both teams, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.
In their previous meeting earlier in the season, North Carolina had suffered a defeat against Louisville, losing 70-83. This added an extra layer of significance to the game, as the Tar Heels sought redemption on their home court.
In terms of injuries, the block does not provide specific details, but both teams were expected to field their strongest lineups. The market had priced Louisville as 3.5-point favorites according to DraftKings, with a total set at 162.5 points. This indicated that the game was anticipated to be competitive, with both teams capable of scoring.
The conditions in the Dean E. Smith Center were conducive to a high-paced game, with fans creating an electric atmosphere that often fuels the home team. As the game progressed, viewers were able to witness key moments that shaped the outcome. Notable scoring plays included several crucial free throws made by Seth Trimble, who played a pivotal role in securing the win for North Carolina.
In the final moments of the game, North Carolina maintained a slim lead, with Louisville attempting to mount a comeback. However, the Tar Heels' ability to convert free throws in crucial situations ultimately sealed their victory. The game showcased the resilience of North Carolina, who managed to hold off a determined Louisville squad.
Overall, this matchup was a testament to the competitive nature of college basketball, with both teams displaying their strengths and weaknesses. North Carolina's victory not only avenged their earlier loss but also solidified their position as a formidable contender in the NCAAB landscape.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LOU -3.5 | 162.5 o -108 / u -112 | Louisville Cardinals -192 · North Carolina Tar Heels +160 |
Leaders
- PointsSeth Trimble30North Carolina Tar Heels
- AssistsSeth Trimble4North Carolina Tar Heels
- ReboundsJarin Stevenson7North Carolina Tar Heels
- PointsMikel Brown Jr.24Louisville Cardinals
- AssistsMikel Brown Jr.2Louisville Cardinals
- ReboundsJ'Vonne Hadley6Louisville Cardinals
Recent form
North Carolina Tar Heels
Last 10: 7-3Streak W178.3 scored · 73.9 allowed per game4-0 at home
- W77-64at Syracuse OrangeFeb 21
- L58-82at NC State WolfpackFeb 18
- W79-65vs Pittsburgh PanthersFeb 14
- L66-75at Miami HurricanesFeb 11
- W71-68vs Duke Blue DevilsFeb 7
- W87-77vs Syracuse OrangeFeb 3
- W91-75at Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsJan 31
- W85-80at Virginia CavaliersJan 24
- W91-69vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishJan 22
- L78-84at California Golden BearsJan 17
Louisville Cardinals
Last 10: 8-2Streak W186.1 scored · 74.5 allowed per game3-2 away
- W87-70vs Georgia Tech Yellow JacketsFeb 21
- L85-95at SMU MustangsFeb 18
- W82-71at Baylor BearsFeb 14
- W118-77vs NC State WolfpackFeb 10
- W88-80at Wake Forest Demon DeaconsFeb 7
- W76-65vs Notre Dame Fighting IrishFeb 5
- W88-74vs SMU MustangsJan 31
- L52-83at Duke Blue DevilsJan 27
- W85-71vs Virginia Tech HokiesJan 24
- W100-59at Pittsburgh PanthersJan 18
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 35-3 | - | 17-1 |
| Virginia | 30-6 | 2 | 15-3 |
| Miami | 26-9 | 4 | 13-5 |
| North Carolina | 24-9 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Clemson | 24-11 | 5 | 12-6 |
| Louisville | 24-11 | 6 | 11-7 |
| NC State | 20-14 | 7 | 10-8 |
| Florida State | 18-15 | 7 | 10-8 |
| California | 22-12 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Stanford | 20-13 | 8 | 9-9 |
| Virginia Tech | 19-13 | 9 | 8-10 |
| SMU | 20-14 | 9 | 8-10 |
| Wake Forest | 18-17 | 10 | 7-11 |
| Syracuse | 15-17 | 11 | 6-12 |
| Pittsburgh | 13-20 | 12 | 5-13 |
| Notre Dame | 13-18 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Boston College | 11-20 | 13 | 4-14 |
| Georgia Tech | 11-20 | 15 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Louisville Cardinals | North Carolina Tar Heels |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 26-67 | 30-56 |
| Field goal % | 39 | 54 |
| Three-pointers | 14-39 | 8-22 |
| Three-point % | 36 | 36 |
| Free throws | 8-11 | 9-19 |
| Free throw % | 73 | 47 |
| Rebounds | 41 | 32 |
| Offensive rebounds | 16 | 7 |
| Defensive rebounds | 25 | 25 |
| Assists | 9 | 13 |
| Steals | 9 | 5 |
| Blocks | 4 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 15 | 12 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 24 | 40 |
| Fouls | 20 | 12 |
| Largest lead | 10 | 16 |
| Lead changes | 4 | 4 |
| Time in front | 32 | 60 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half38-39Seth Trimble makes driving layup
- 2nd Half38-41Seth Trimble makes layup
- 2nd Half39-41Sananda Fru makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half39-44Derek Dixon makes 25-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half39-46Seth Trimble makes driving layup
- 2nd Half40-46Khani Rooths makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half40-49Luka Bogavac makes 25-foot three point jumper (Jarin Stevenson assists)
- 2nd Half40-52Derek Dixon makes 25-foot three point jumper (Zayden High assists)
- 2nd Half40-54Zayden High makes layup
- 2nd Half40-56Seth Trimble makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half42-56Ryan Conwell makes driving layup
- 2nd Half44-56J'Vonne Hadley makes driving layup
- 2nd Half47-56Ryan Conwell makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half48-56Ryan Conwell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-56Ryan Conwell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-59Jarin Stevenson makes 25-foot three point jumper (Kyan Evans assists)
- 2nd Half52-59Mikel Brown Jr. makes 26-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half52-61Seth Trimble makes driving layup
- 2nd Half54-61J'Vonne Hadley makes layup
- 2nd Half54-63Henri Veesaar makes layup (Seth Trimble assists)
- 2nd Half54-66Jarin Stevenson makes 23-foot three point jumper (Seth Trimble assists)
- 2nd Half55-66Adrian Wooley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-67Seth Trimble makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-67Ryan Conwell makes 26-foot three pointer (Mikel Brown Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half58-68Seth Trimble makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half60-68Ryan Conwell makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-68Ryan Conwell makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half61-70Luka Bogavac makes driving layup
- 2nd Half61-72Henri Veesaar makes 5-foot floating jump shot (Luka Bogavac assists)
- 2nd Half64-72Ryan Conwell makes 25-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half67-72Mikel Brown Jr. makes 25-foot three pointer
- 2nd Half67-73Seth Trimble makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-74Seth Trimble makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-74Mikel Brown Jr. makes 7-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half70-74Ryan Conwell makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-74Ryan Conwell makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-75Seth Trimble makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-76Seth Trimble makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-76Mikel Brown Jr. makes 30-foot three point jumper (Sananda Fru assists)
- 2nd Half74-77Derek Dixon makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours North Carolina Tar Heels, below favours Louisville Cardinals.
Venue
- Dean E. Smith CenterChapel Hill, NC
- Attendance20577
- OfficialsBert Smith, Roger Ayers, Clarence Armstrong
Elsewhere
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- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond