3 Undeniable reasons the Louisville Cardinals aced the 2025 transfer portal

The transfer portal deadline was April 22 at 11:59 p.m. ET, meaning all players who wanted to transfer had to submit their paperwork by that time and date.

Louisville basketball learned early Wednesday morning that James Scott, last season's starting center, will enter the portal. The former fan favorite was an electrifying rim protector and an elite dunker, and it was crushing to hear the news of him leaving.

The Cardinals can still bring in a few players this offseason, as they have been in contact with several players. However, with the portal deadline having passed, Louisville now knows who is returning, who is transferring, and, for the most part, what the rotation of this team will be for the 2025-26 season.

3 Undeniable reasons the Louisville Cardinals aced the 2025 transfer portal

The Cardinals have had one of the best offseasons, and they're not even done yet. With the transfer portal deadline passing, we wanted to break down three undeniable reasons that prove the Cardinals excelled in the transfer portal, specifically regarding who is transferring in, who is transferring out, and who is returning.

So, here are three undeniable reasons the Louisville Cardinals aced the 2025 transfer portal.

3. National Championship odds skyrocket

Head coach Pat Kelsey has worked multiple miracles this offseason and has created one of the best teams in the nation. The Cardinals ended last season in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, falling to Creighton 89-75.

Louisville quickly went from a first-round exit team to a National Championship team. According to 247Sports, the Cardinals have had the third-best transfer portal experience and the eleventh-best, according to On3 Sports.

So far, the Cardinals' outstanding offseason has given them the fourth-best odds to win the 2026 National Championship, as Kelsey crushed all expectations this offseason. Louisville will now look for history next season, hoping to secure its first ACC Title in program history and take down the Duke Blue Devils.