Louisville basketball rebuilds under Pat Kelsey after painful losses

In Louisville, USA, the men's basketball team has undertaken a significant rebuilding following two disappointing seasons under former player Kenny Payne, who was dismissed after achieving a record of 12-52. New head coach Pat Kelsey, previously with Charleston, aims to revitalize the program with a new roster characterized by experience and size, after utilizing the transfer portal to bring in several players from power conference schools. Key contributors include J’Vonne Hadley, a standout guard who played a pivotal role in Colorado’s Sweet 16 run, and Terrance Edwards, the Sun Belt Conference’s player of the year. Additionally, former Charleston forward James Scott and a 6-11 duo from BYU will add much-needed height to the team. The Cardinals are anticipated to adopt a faster-paced game style that emphasizes defense and perimeter shooting, deviating from their past approaches. The team’s performance in the previous season ranked poorly for both scoring and defensive statistics, indicating a need for change. Despite losing several key players, the program is hopeful with the return of reserve guard Aidan McCool and the incoming talents that have NCAA tournament experience. The Cardinals will commence their season with a non-conference opener against Morehead State, followed by a challenging game against ranked No. 12 Tennessee. As they prepare for a new season and conference matchups, the expectation is that the restructured roster under Coach Kelsey can lead to a successful turnaround for Louisville basketball in the competitive ACC.