By Sam Draut–

Louisville opened ACC play on Sunday at the KFC YUM! Center, and the Cardinals learned there won’t be a team in the conference it can pencil in as a victory.

Chinanu Onuaku notched his fourth career double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds, and Louisville defeated Wake Forest 65-57.

“We knew this was going to be tough game, that’s what the ACC is all about,” coach Rick Pitino said.

It was the sophomore center’s ninth game this season he has led the Cardinals in rebounding and Onuaku’s career-high of 15 rebounds is the most recorded by a Louisville player since Montrezl Harrell had 15 rebounds on Jan. 31, 2015 against North Carolina.

“I try to go out and help my team anyway I can,” Onuaku said.

Because of foul trouble, Onuaku has averaged only 20.7 minutes per game this season, but the sophomore was able to go the entire first half without picking up a personal foul which led to increased minutes.

“He played a great game. I don’t think in the past he could play 37 minutes from a conditioning standpoint,” Pitino said.

In his first career start, Donovan Mitchell scored 18 points and pulled down eight rebounds.

“He is a special basketball player,” Pitino said. “He was brilliant.”

Pitino told the freshman earlier in the week that he would be getting his first career start, and in warm ups, Mitchell had some added energy.

“I locked in a little bit differently than I normally would,” Mitchell said. “I knew I was going right out there.”

It is the second time Mitchell has led the Cardinals in scoring this season and sixth time the guard has reached double-figures.

Louisville (12-2) never led by double-digits and the Cardinals held just a two possession lead over Wake Forest (9-4) up until the final 16 seconds of the second half.

Louisville led for 37 minutes, but the Cardinals could never stretch the lead far enough to distant itself from a gritty Wake Forest team.

The hard-fought matchup was a taste of the often brutal ACC schedule that Louisville now faces.

“In the ACC, we can beat any team and any team can beat us on any given night,” Damion Lee said. The fifth-year senior scored 12 points in 35 minutes.

After winning its ACC home opener, Louisville travels to North Carolina to play NC State on Thursday and Clemson on Sunday.