Louisville Basketball: Embracing the Villain Role in NCAA Tournament
BUFFALO, N.Y. – As Louisville Basketball prepares to face South Florida in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Cardinals find themselves cast in an unexpected role: the villain. Despite being a No. 6 seed, USF is gaining traction as a popular upset pick across the nation, fueled by compelling backstories and a heartwarming narrative that resonates with fans.
In an era where Cinderella stories feel increasingly rare, thanks to the influence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and the transfer portal, South Florida embodies the underdog spirit. However, Louisville isn’t fazed by the sentiment. They have their own objectives and a history to rewrite.
A Program Seeking Redemption
The Cardinals haven’t tasted victory in the NCAA Tournament since 2017. Head coach Pat Kelsey is also looking for his first Big Dance win, having previously gone 0-5. A deep tournament run would also be beneficial for star guard Mikel Brown Jr., whose recovery from a back injury could be expedited with more games.
“I wouldn’t call us villains,” UofL guard Isaac McKneely stated, “But obviously, people are going to root against us.” And indeed, the support seems to be overwhelmingly with South Florida.
The South Florida Story
USF head coach Bryan Hodgson’s story is particularly poignant. Adopted as a toddler and raised in western New York, he founded a foundation to support foster children in sports. This tournament appearance is especially meaningful as his father, battling dementia, will finally have the opportunity to see him coach in person, surrounded by 37 family members.
“It’s unbelievably (a) full-circle moment for me,” Hodgson shared, adding, “But I think it’s all part of God’s plan, to be honest with you.”
A Team Built on Grit
Hodgson’s journey to this level wasn’t paved with privilege. Kelsey acknowledged Hodgson’s hard work, stating, “He really went about reaching this level and this level of success the hard way…He grinded.”
The USF roster reflects this same tenacity, filled with players who were overlooked or honed their skills in lesser-known programs. Forward Josh Omojafo was a D-II All-American at Gannon University, while guard Wes Enis achieved the same honor at Lincoln Memorial. This team is driven by a desire to prove themselves.
Underdog Pedigree
Special assistant to the head coach, Tobin Anderson, brings a unique perspective. He previously led Fairleigh Dickinson to a historic upset over Purdue as a No. 16 seed in 2023. Anderson sees similar qualities in USF, a swagger and determination that fueled his FDU squad.
USF guard Isaiah Jones also has experience with tournament upsets, having played for Oakland when they defeated Kentucky in 2024. He even joked about hoping for Louisville fans to support USF as payback for trolling Kentucky after that upset.
Hodgson himself was an assistant coach at Buffalo when they upset Arizona in 2018, instilling a belief in his team that their success is earned, not luck.
Louisville understands the challenge. In the narrative of a fairytale, the villain rarely prevails. The Cardinals must embrace that role and focus on their own path to victory.
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