Louisville men's basketball cracks top 25 for first time this season

Good things come to those who wait.

It took 12 weeks, but the Louisville men's basketball Monday cracked the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time this season, landing at No. 23. 

The new ranking broke the Cardinals' streak of 25 weeks unranked in the poll, dating back to Nov. 27, 2017.

They also entered the USA TODAY Coaches Poll at No. 24.

Louisville (13-5, 4-1 ACC) has won five of its last seven games and climbed into the rankings following wins over Boston College and Georgia Tech last week.

Louisville remained unranked even after first-year coach Chris Mack led the Cardinals to impressive signature victories over then-No. 8 Michigan State and No. 12 North Carolina, although Louisville was the top vote-getter outside the Top 25 in the Week 11 poll.

Who would have thought it would be a home win over Boston College and a road blowout of a shorthanded Georgia Tech — albeit a dominant 79-51 rout — that would finally convince voters?

Louisville hosts No. 19-ranked NC State on Thursday at the KFC Yum Center. The Wolfpack is ranked 21st in the AP poll.

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Danielle Lerner: 502-582-4042; dlerner@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @Danielle_Lerner. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: courier-journal.com/daniellel.