Louisville basketball has created one of the best schedules in college basketball, as the Cardinals are set to face SEC giants, ACC giants, old rivals, and many more. The Cardinals' full schedule has yet to be released, but Louisville fans do know that they will play Duke and SMU twice in the regular season.
Pat Kelsey has elevated this program to one of the nation's best teams. Louisville currently has the best roster, according to Sleeper Media, and the tenth-best odds to win the National Title, per FanDuel.
With a roster like that, an exciting November and December schedule usually follows. While it might be hard for some Cardinals fans to circle just one key game next season, Louisville's 5-star commit Mikel Brown Jr. recently stated that one game clearly means more than any others.
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5-star commit Mikel Brown Jr. just lit the fuse on Louisville–Kentucky rivalry
The Cardinals have blockbuster showdowns with multiple SEC teams, as Louisville will travel to Arkansas and Tennessee. Kelsey will look to be battle-tested on the road, especially against John Calipari's Razorbacks, but their matchup with the in-state rival, the Kentucky Wildcats, stands out the most to Brown.
The Cardinals' 5-star commit recently spoke with Krysten Peek, and in the interview, Brown made sure that all college basketball fans know the Cardinals are eyeing their big-time matchup with the Wildcats.
“I think everybody knows which game that is,” Brown stated when asked which game he has circled, “Kentucky. Everybody has that game circled. November 11. And it’s after my brother’s birthday. It’s gonna be lit. The Yum! is gonna be jumping.”
The Cardinals eye a massive turnaround in this rivalry as the Wildcats have had there number as of late. Louisville and Kentucky will be a blockbuster showdown, as each program boasts multiple 5-star recruits and future NBA Draft picks.
Brown recently dunked on Kentucky's 4-star commit Malachi Moreno, which some were calling the first draw of blood for the next era of this rivalry. Now, he just sparked the rivalry and the blockbuster showdown even more, making it clear that Louisville wants all the smoke from Kentucky next season.
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For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.