3. Falling: Khani Rooths
Khani Rooths ceiling is extremely high, but his production in the ACC Tournament wasn't great. The freshman forward was a unanimous 4-star prospect and was ranked in the top 40 of the class 2024.
This season, he averaged 3.3 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 39.4 percent from the floor and 23.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Cardinals were hit badly by the injury bug, and some were expecting Rooths to become a valuable bench piece, but that just never really happened. Don't get it wrong, he provides solid minutes, but the jump from high school to college clearly has shown for Rooths.
In the Cardinal's three games in the ACC Tournament, he only secured 2 points and six rebounds. Rooths inexperience showed, as he shot just 25 percent from the floor and missed his only three-pointer attempt.
The Cardinals will need Rooths to step up his play and improve his offensive game when he checks in. Louisville lacks size, and Creighton and Auburn can exploit that weakness of the Cardinals. The 6-foot-8 forward must supply valuable minutes on both ends of the floor.
2. Rising: Terrence Edwards Jr.
Terrence Edwards Jr. earned 2025 First-Team ACC All-Tournament, and Third-Team All-ACC for the regular season. Edwards is entering the NCAA Tournament as maybe one of the hottest players in the nation. The Cardinals star guard has been on fire lately and was Louisville basketball's best player in the ACC Tournament.
Edwards averaged 25 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 31.3 percent from beyond the arc in the ACC Tournament. He scored at will and was dominant in every game. He scored 29 points against Duke in the ACC Tournament and torched the Blue Devils in the first half.
Edwards scored 20 points or more in every game in the ACC Tournament and has scored 20 points or more in 13 games this season. Edwards is the leading scorer for Louisville on the season, as he averaged 16.6 points per game. On top of his 16.4 points, he also averaged 4.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 0.7 steals per game while shooting an impressive split of 43.9 percent from the court and 33.0 percent from beyond the arc.
The Cardinals guard has an excellent read for the game, as he can play iso ball and break down his defender. Edwards can drive past his defender or to nail a step-back three. He also doesn't give up on plays. He is seen repeatedly battling for offensive rebounds and playing until the whistle.
Louisville basketball will need Edwards to keep this dominant run into the NCAA Tournament.