Louisville basketball graduate transfers ready for their first and last Big Dance

March is finally here, and no one feels the pressure more than guys who’ve never been here before. How will Louisville basketball’s graduate transfers approach their shot at the tourney that they’ve been waiting for so long?

It’s no secret that every college basketball player dreams of playing in the NCAA tournament, especially the guys that start out at a low mid major program – transferring to a big time Division I program with the chance to play for a National title. The NCAA Tournament is something these players look at as a privilege. When they arrive at their new school they put it all on the line, holding nothing back, giving everything for their team to make sure that dream is realized.

This years Louisville basketball team is solidly in the tournament. (Thank God, because being on the bubble is excruciating.) But are we so convinced that they would be there without the additions of Christen Cunningham, Khwan Fore, and even elder statesman Akoy Agau? Their leadership has undoubtedly been crucial to the success of the Cards this season.

Playing in the toughest conference in the country, with a top 3 strength of schedule, CC and Khwan have performed admirably and the city will forever love them for that. But now the time has come to raise their game to the next level. It’s March – the biggest March of their basketball lives.

Senior Day came and went, and safe to say everyone was encouraged by how the game unfolded. In a post game interview, CC said as much, along with the usual “we still have things to work on to get better.”  Most interesting though, is a response that came after.

The tournament means everything because of the fans?  You heard that right. Honestly, Louisville couldn’t ask for a better leader than CC. And we can be sure that Khwan shares the same mindset: team first. That’s been evident every time Fore sits on the bench, no matter how long, he’s always cheering and always giving 100% when his number is called.

I wrote once before about where this team is now compared to where they were supposed to be. These players like CC and Khwan, even Akoy (though he’s experienced a tourney before) are here for a short time to make an impact. I think we can all agree that their impact has been felt.

March Madness has a chance to be fun for Louisville fans again, and we have our grad guys in large part to thank for that. The fact that they want to succeed to make us proud means that we should support them just as hard. Selection Sunday is right around the corner.

Wherever the Cards end up, we have so many reasons to cheer them on. They’ve waited for this moment, and so have we. After ending the regular season on a good note, who’s to say we don’t shock the world? Get ready CardNation, this one’s for y’all.