Louisville Defeats UNC 83-70 in ACC Opener

The North Carolina Tar Heels suffered a disappointing 83-70 loss to the Louisville Cardinals, marking their first defeat in the ACC this season and dropping their overall record to 8-6. Despite a strong performance from freshmen Ian Jackson, who scored 23 points, and Drake Powell, who added 14 before fouling out, UNC struggled with foul trouble and defensive lapses, particularly in the closing minutes. Louisville's Chucky Hepburn led all scorers with 26 points, helping the Cardinals close the game with a decisive 13-1 run. The Tar Heels briefly tied the game at 61-61 but failed to execute down the stretch, committing several critical errors. This defeat highlights ongoing issues with UNC's first-half performance and late-game execution, as they prepare to face Notre Dame next. The loss also signifies a shift in the rivalry, with Louisville breaking a five-game losing streak against UNC.