1. Khani Rooths
Khani Rooths is emerging as the Cardinals fans' favorite player. This former 4-star provides a spark off the bench that the KFC Yum! Center loves. He brings athleticism and energy that others don't have, and after growing a couple of inches and adding muscle, he looks like he is poised for a breakout season.
Rooths was the only Cardinal to be in the plus/minus in Louisville's two exhibition games. The 6-foot-10 forward has the energy fans love and the team rallies behind. Rooths showed last night that he improved his jumpshot by splashing two 3-pointers and that he can be an elite defender at times. The Cards' defense struggled against Kansas and struggled early against Bucknell. With Rooths' athletics and energy, he emerges as a perfect player to step up.
With Pryor being out for the first game, this will give the true sophomore a massive opportunity to step up and be Louisville's key X-factor to start the season. The fans have high expectations for Rooths, and after the first two exhibition games, he has emerged as a player with the potential to shock the nation.