LOUISVILLE, Ky. — During the matchup between Louisville and California on Wednesday night, a concerning moment occurred when senior guard Reyne Smith had to leave the game with what appeared to be a lower leg injury. Smith’s departure came 12 minutes into the first half, and upon the Cardinals’ return to the court for second half warmups, he was noticeably absent from the session, suggesting he might not be able to return to play.
Prior to his injury, Smith had been a vital part of No. 14 Louisville’s impressive season turnaround, averaging 13.8 points per game. The Australian native joined Louisville after three standout seasons with the College of Charleston, following coach Pat Kelsey. Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Smith’s status remains uncertain going forward as coach Kelsey acknowledged post-game, after their 85-68 triumph over Cal, that the team’s trainer informed him Smith was unable to play, yet the duration of his absence is still unspecified.
Smith has made a name for himself as an exceptional outside shooter, with an impressive tally of 106 successful 3-point attempts out of 277 this season. His performance places him at the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference and third nationally for three-pointers made. Furthermore, his 400 career three-pointers hold him second among active Division I players, marking a significant career achievement.
Should Smith be sidelined for a long period, this would add to the adversity Louisville is already facing, having lost Koren Johnson and Kasean Pryor to season-ending injuries back in November. Despite these challenges, the Cardinals have showcased resilience with an eight-game winning streak and victories in 18 of their last 19 games, now holding a 24-6 overall record and a 17-2 record within the ACC after defeating California.
Heading into the game, Louisville ranked 13th in the ACC for 3-point shooting percentage, at 33.1%, but their 283 made three-pointers stood as the second most in the conference. The team excelled in Wednesday’s game, shooting 11 for 23 from beyond the arc.
“We excel at three-point shooting,” remarked coach Kelsey. “It’s a key focus in our recruitment and strategy. While Reyne is outstanding and among the best I’ve coached, we have several players who can score from outside.”
