Louisville basketball had one of the best offseasons in college basketball after Pat Kelsey landed Adrian Wooley, Isaac McKneely, and Ryan Conwell. Louisville's backcourt is going to be a massive problem for the rest of the nation and is going to be nearly unstoppable.
Going back a few months to the Transfer Portal, McKneely was the Cardinals fans' No. 1 guy. Once he entered the potal, the fans immediately circled him and made it clear they wanted the lethal shooter. Well, Louisville then landed Wooley and Conwell, and it felt like there was no way they would get another shooting guard. However, Kelsey worked some magic and landed the sharpshooter from Virginia over Tennessee.
In a recent interview, McKneely broke down exactly what stood out to him and why he picked Louisville when many thought he was going to commit to the Tennessee Volunteers.
Related: 5 key reasons Isaac McKneely committed to the Louisville Cardinals over Tennessee
Isaac McKneely unveils why he committed to Louisville over Tennessee
McKneely was ranked as high as No. 18 in the nation and the No. 1 combo guard according to On3 Sports Transfer Portal rankings. He was a consensus top 20 player in the Transfer Portal, but after Louisville already landed a 5-star in Wooley, and another top 20 player and 4-star in Conwell, many assumed there was no way a sharpshooter like McKneely would then commit to Louisville for his final year.
Louisville was the dominant favorite after earning a visit from McKneely, however, Tennessee quickly entered the race and made it much closer than Kelsey wanted. McKneely then shocked the nation and joined Louisville's legendary backcourt and committed to Kelsey and the Cardinals over the SEC giant.
"I am all about winning," McKneely stated on the Field of 68 podcast on why he chose Louisville. "PK (Pat Kelsey), he told me the whole time, he was really upfront with me about the recruiting process. He was recruiting Wooley, he was recruiting Ryan Conwell, and he was really upfront. He wants all three of us. It wasn't like we're going to get two of these guys and then let the other one go. He wanted all three of us to be here."
Kelsey continues to prove he is one of the best recruiters in the nation. McKneely later stated that he had already made some of his best friends at Louisville and is ready for any role that is thrown his way.
With the Cardinals having four elite guards in Mikel Brown Jr. and the three transfers, only three will start. McKneely made it clear he wants to win, and he felt Louisville was the best option for him to accomplish that, even if it means he might come off the bench.
"Obviously basketball-wise we are going to be really good," McKneely stated. "Like you said, four guards, probably only room for three to start, but that's ok, whatever my role is, starter, six-man, I am willing to step in that role and go for a championship."
McKneely turned down more minutes, more shots, more points, and maybe even more from Tennessee, but he made it clear from this interview that Louisville was the best place for him to win a National Championship.
The Cardinals, as of today, have the No. 9 best odds to win the National Title with +2000 odds, while Tennessee has +4000 odds. The Cardinals fans are stoked to see McKneely on the court, and with this dominant backcourt, Louisville should be poised for a deep March run.
Related: 5 Cardinals with legitimate breakout potential for Louisville basketball in 2025
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason, stay tuned.