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Predicting the starters in Louisville’s first exhibition game

By Caleb Hall

An image of Kenny Payne is seen on the giant scorers screen before the Cards take on visiting Western Kentucky. Payne finally got his first win as head coach for Louisville as the Cards fight to beat WKU 94-83 at the Yum! Center in downtown Louisville Wednesday night. Dec. 14, 2022Louisville Men Vs Western Kentucky Basketball 2022
An image of Kenny Payne is seen on the giant scorers screen before the Cards take on visiting Western Kentucky. Payne finally got his first win as head coach for Louisville as the Cards fight to beat WKU 94-83 at the Yum! Center in downtown Louisville Wednesday night. Dec. 14, 2022Louisville Men Vs Western Kentucky Basketball 2022 /
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Louisville guard Tre White, right, gives a high five to seven-footer teammate Dennis Evans, left, at the Red-White scrimmage game at the KFC Yum! Center Oct. 11, 2023.
Louisville guard Tre White, right, gives a high five to seven-footer teammate Dennis Evans, left, at the Red-White scrimmage game at the KFC Yum! Center Oct. 11, 2023. /

Predicting Payne’s starting forwards & centers for Louisville

Small Forward: Tre White, Sophomore Transfer

Tre White comes into Louisville as a transfer from USC, and he will likely be the focal point of this Louisville offense. It may have been a competitive starting spot between White and Trentyn Flowers, but since Flowers left White has taken full control of the starting position. In the red & white scrimmage White totaled 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, and looked good while doing it.

White will be a big part of this Louisville team going forward, and will most likely start in the Cardinals exhibition debut. Kaleb Glenn and Curtis Williams will likely back him up and get some minutes, but White should get the bulk as the starter here.

Power Forward: JJ Traynor, Junior

JJ Traynor is the hometown kid on this team and he is one of the more exciting forwards on this Louisville basketball team. Traynor will be entering his 3rd year with the Cardinals and last season was definitely his best, where he averaged 6.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, while shooting 31.5% from three and 47.1% from the floor overall. Towards the end of last season Traynor was all over the court. Whether it was getting offensive rebounds, dunking the ball, or getting blocks, Traynor was one of Louisville’s most exciting players last season, and looks to continue it this year by starting for Kenny Payne’s team.

Traynor scored 11 points in the red & white scrimmage game last week, and when talking to the media earlier this week about the state of team and how they cooperate he said:

"“It’s just a lot more fun this year, guys are competing day in and day out, guys are are picking up what the coaches want them to pick up quicker”"

Traynor should start over in Louisville’s first game this year, and if he keeps playing like how he did to end last season it should stay that way.

Center: Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, Junior Transfer

Brandon Huntley-Hatfield will likely be starting at center this year for the Cardinals, just based on his performance last year and who’s coming in this season. Huntley-Hatfield averaged 6.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, while shooting 47.2% from the field and 27.8% from three. Huntley-Hatfield was often criticized for his defense last season, and hopefully he can improve upon that this season.

Huntley-Hatfield should start this first game for the Cardinals, but if he starts to slip in the next few games don’t expect to see more of the 4-star freshman Dennis Evans. Evan’s offensive game is quite raw, but his defensive presence is powerful, so we should see quite a bit of him tonight too. Emmanuel Okorafor should also get some time behind him as well.

Full predicted starting lineup:

PG: Skyy Clark

SG: Mike James

SF: Tre White

PF: JJ Traynor

C: Brandon Huntley-Hatfield

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