College basketball has officially passed the 100-day threshold, inching closer and closer to the start of the season this October. Louisville basketball fans are eagerly soaking up any coverage of the Cardinals, who are anticipated to be a top 15 team entering the season. Basketball fever is alive and well in the River City after the extreme turnaround orchestrated by head coach Pat Kelsey last season.
The passing of the 100-day milestone has many national basketball writers looking to the upcoming season, providing analysis and predictions for the season ahead. Many view Louisville in a favorable light due to Kelsey's coaching performance last season, as well as the roster he and his staff were able to assemble this offseason. The Cardinals are primed to display a strong, deep backcourt with a plethora of playmakers and sharpshooters to lead the scoring charge.
ESPN’s Myron Metcalf and Jeff Borzello published a recent article discussing a wide variety of topics related to the upcoming season. The topics discussed included bold and wild predictions related to the season as well as the NCAA tournament. One prediction from this article is providing added fuel to an already intense flame of excitement and anticipation surrounding this Cardinal basketball squad.
Bold Louisville basketball prediction has Cardinals fans screaming Final Four or bust
Louisville has one of the best rosters in college basketball next season, and while Joe Lunardi thinks Louisville is going to be only a No. 5 seed in March Madness, his colleague severely disagrees. In ESPN’s article, Jeff Borzello gives his take on expectations for Pat Kelsey and the Cards in Year 2, and the Louisville fans are ready to run through a brick wall, they are so excited.
"Pat Kelsey will win his first NCAA tournament game -- and get Louisville to the Final Four. Entering last March, the one knock on Todd Golden was his lack of an NCAA tournament win. He erased any doubt in pretty emphatic fashion. Kelsey will be the next coach to go from zero to a Final Four. Louisville's backcourt is among the best in the country, and the Cardinals have the perfect blend of experience, depth and star power."Jeff Borzello, ESPN
It’s easy to see why the Cardinals are highly regarded entering the upcoming season. The Cardinals were able to retain key pieces of last year's team with eligibility remaining, such as seniors J’Vonne Hadley and Kasean Pryor, who will provide a key veteran presence and leadership for Pat Kelsey. Also adding the likes of sharpshooters Ryan Conwell and Isaac McKneely, as well as potential top 5 draft pick Mikel Brown Jr., helped to bolster a now loaded roster.
Louisville fans have complete confidence in Pat Kelsey’s ability to lead and coach after seeing the fantastic results from Year 1. The high expectations have been a breath of fresh air not just to the fans, but to the program and its standing as a historic power, returning to its rightful place in the college basketball landscape. Kelsey and the Cards won’t shy away from the lofty predictions, but will instead embrace the national attention and continue to prepare for a potentially exciting and historic season ahead.
Related: Louisville’s newest star teases one skill that will make him Pat Kelsey’s top threat
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason, stay tuned.