This is based on an analysis by Inside Higher Ed, which has released its  ranking NCAA teams based on academic performance. Using the most recent data available, the NCAA’s 2022-2023 along with student-athlete graduation success rate and overall institution graduation rates, the assessment placed UofL in the championship game against Clemson University.

The excitement of March Madness may capture the nation’s attention for a few weeks, but at UofL there’s something special about being a Cardinal on and off the court. The university’s commitment to is year-round.

UofL’s robust plays a key role in this success. From tutoring to priority registration to academic counseling, these resources ensure that Cardinals are equipped with the tools they need to thrive both in their sport and in the classroom.

Each year, the NCAA recognizes teams with multiyear academic progress rates in the top 10 percent of their sport, and . Additionally, UofL student-athletes collectively earned a 3.311 GPA for the 2024 spring semester, marking the 27th consecutive semester with a department-wide GPA of 3.0 or better.

While the actual tournament has just begun, one thing remains certain—it’s always a great time to be a Cardinal.

University of Louisville mental health experts say these cancellations make a big impact on both student athletes and fans.

UofL sports psychiatrist Christopher K. Peters, MD, says there will definitely be a grieving process for the student athlete.

“These students have and are working toward a high-level goal, which they may not be allowed to continue,” said Peters, who is an associate professor of pediatrics at UofL and medical director of outpatient services with Norton Children’s Mental and Behavioral Health Center.

But, Peters points out, “perspective is everything and the grief should be tempered with the understanding that these decisions are made to mitigate a broader health crisis.”

Fans, too, feel the loss. UofL social psychologist Michael Cunningham, PhD, professor, Department of Communications, says fans have worked up to a major point on their calendars for these tournament events.

“People experience group identity and group affirmation as fans of a certain team – it is the gathering together of like-minded people who get a sense of personal validation and testosterone boost when their team wins,” Cunningham said. “It all adds spice to life and when it is taken away, life can be rather bland.”

Cunningham points out bracket fever and the entire support structure of tournament play will be pushed aside, as well.

“For some people it is like canceling Christmas,” he said.

“I recommend the practice of what we call ‘mindful eating,’” said Cessna, who provides services with the managed jointly by UofL and Norton Children’s Hospital. “Whether it’s the craziness of the ballgame itself or the stress of hosting a watch party, overeating can easily happen, and you should be mindful of that.”

Here are a few simple guidelines Cessna recommends to practice mindful eating during March Madness:

• Listen to your body and stop eating when you are full. It takes about 20 minutes for the satiation signal to reach the brain, which is why we often overeat unconsciously.
• When your stomach is growling or if you feel like your energy is low, eat. Don’t ignore the signals your body gives you or you could overeat later.
• Eat with others at the same time to help prevent wandering around and eating at random times and places.
• When it’s time to eat, just eat. Try not to be on your cell phone or engaging in other activities. This can cause overconsumption.
• As much as possible, eat foods that are healthy and full of nutrients.
• Try baking, not frying when preparing cheese sticks, wings or other game-time favorites to cut down on calories.
• Serving size matters; serve mini corn dogs, mini meatballs or hamburger sliders when indulging in higher carb/fat foods.
• Seek out crunchy alternatives; instead of potato chips, try carrots, celery or low-fat pretzels.
• Use skim or reduced-fat products when possible when making recipes with cream cheese or shredded cheese. Avoid regular mayo and use avocado mayo instead.
• If making ranch or taco dip, use non-fat plain Greek yogurt.
• If eating or making dips, serve with pita bread or baked chips rather than higher-fat fried chips.

Cessna offers the following recipes to help March Madness party planners provide healthy alternatives:

Black Bean & Corn Quinoa Salad

Serving size: ½ cup      Carbs in serving: 15 g

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• ½ cup black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 Roma tomato
• 1 tbsp. red onion, chopped
• 1/3 cup frozen corn
• 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp. cilantro, chopped

Directions:

• Cook quinoa according to package directions
• In a large bowl, add all ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined
• Serve immediately or chill in refrigerator and serve later on.

Wonton Taco Cups

Serving Size: 3 cups     Carbs in serving: 28 g

Ingredients:

• 24 wonton wrappers
• 1 lb. 85/15 or 90/10 ground beef
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• Toppings of choice: shredded lettuce, salsa, shredded cheese, plain Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream), avocado, cilantro

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375˚ F.
• Cook ground beef in skillet over medium heat until done. Drain. Stir in taco seasoning and cook according to package directions.
• Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray. Gently push wonton wrappers down in the cups. Add a second wonton wrapper on top of each cup, rotated slightly where the corners of both wrappers show.
• Distribute ground beef mixture evenly between the 12 cups
• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown
• Top with taco toppings of your choice and serve

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Celery Sticks (Low Carb)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ¾ cup plain, Greek yogurt
• ¼ cup hot sauce of your choice
• ¼ – ½ diced onion (*optional)
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• ¼ tsp. garlic powder
• 1 bunch celery (8-10 medium stalks cut into 2-3 inch pieces)
• Blue cheese, crumbled

Directions:

• Add chicken breasts to bottom of crockpot/slow cooker
• Combine yogurt, hot sauce, onion, garlic, and garlic powder in a bowl.
• Cook on high for 3-4 hours or until chicken is cooked through.
• Transfer chicken to a medium bowl and shred with 2 forks.
• Fill celery sticks with chicken filling (1-2 tbsp. each)
• Top with crumbled blue cheese, if desired

Chicken Salad with Apple Slices

Ingredients:

• 1, 9 oz. pkg chicken breast strips, cooked
• 3 apples
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup celery, chopped
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• 2 tbsp. light cream cheese spread with veggies
• 2 tbsp. avocado mayo
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:

• In a bowl, combine cream cheese, mayo, vinegar, and pepper. Stir in chicken breasts, celery, and dried cranberries.
• Slice apples into small, round circular, thin pieces.
• Serve chicken salad on top

Zucchini Pizza Bites

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup mini pepperoni
• 3 zucchini
• 1/3 cup marinara sauce
• 1 tbsp. Italian seasoning
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp. EVOO (olive oil)
• ½ cup low-fat mozzarella

Directions:

• Preheat oven to broil
• Heat EVOO in large skillet over medium high heat. In small batches, add zucchini and cook, flipping just one time until golden brown on each side. Should be about 1-2 minutes. Season with salt & pepper, to taste.
• Place zucchini rounds on a baking sheet. Top each zucchini round with a little marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni minis. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
• Put in oven and make until cheese has melted, about 1-2 minutes, and serve.

If the Cardinals advance past Sunday, another UofL team will also be dancing. The Quiz Bowl team — which includes Ramapriya Rangaraju, Olivia Muncie, Clayton Truman and Mohammed Hindi — is on standby for their shot at Bracket Genius, a quiz show that features bracket-style academic competition and offers college students the chance to share the $100,000 prize. Teams are picked for the Bracket Genius competition only if their basketball team advances to the Sweet 16.

Though the quiz bowl members won’t know their fate until the basketball team plays its first two games, they’re ready and confident should they get the call to fly to Chicago Monday and start the competition.��

“I like our chances. I trust all of my teammates,” said Muncie, a junior history major from Indianapolis. “I think this is a great idea because it highlights that we’re more than just a sports school. Some of the smartest people I know are on this quiz bowl team.” 

The UofL Quiz Bowl team is coached by Matt Church, A&S advisor.��

Bracket Genius is sponsored by College Ave Student Loans, Intersport and ESPN. Follow along on and .��

Below, check out the students’ reaction to finding out they could compete in Bracket Genius: