Louisville basketball had Final Four expectations and dreams this time last year for the Cardinals' 2025-26 season, but with Mikel Brown Jr. missing the entire ACC Tournament and March Madness, the Cards' dreams fell short. Louisville earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament, won its first NCAA Tournament game since 2017, but was defeated in the second round by Michigan State.
CBS Sports ranks Louisville right where Cardinals fans hoped after massive offseason
The Cardinals had a dominant offseason and earned the No. 1 portal class, adding six transfers, including the No. 1 overall transfer from the portal, Flory Bidunga. Louisville is ranked as high as No. 5 in Fox Sports' way-too-early rankings and is generating a lot of buzz this offseason, and that all just became clear in Joe Lunardi's latest men's bracketology.
Not only did the Cardinals get the respect they deserve and earn an eye-popping seed in mid-June, but with everyone comparing Louisville and Kentucky this offseason, Lunardi just sent a loud message on who he believes is better.
Joe Lunardi just made Louisville basketball fans smile with latest bracketology
Louisville and Kentucky have each had impressive offseasons, as the Cardinals' portal haul ranks No. 1 with Bidunga and Jackson Shelstad leading the way, and right behind them is Kentucky at No. 2 with 5-star transfer Milan Momcilovic as the Cats' biggest addition.
With both programs dominating the portal and this offseason, the two fan bases have been going back and forth on who they believe is better, showing why this rivalry is so special and unique. However, Lunardi just sent a huge message about who he believes is better, as he released his latest men's bracketology.
In the bracketology, the Cardinals are the No. 2 seed in the East region, where they would play Illinois State in Minneapolis. The Kentucky Wildcats are the No. 5 seed in the South region and are projected to play either Clemson or Maryland.
While Kentucky fans might not like seeing that they are a 5-seed and Louisville is a 2-seed, it is pretty fitting. Louisville is trending as a top-10 team in way-too-early rankings, as Fox Sports recently ranked them No. 5 in the nation, which would put them around a 2- or 3-seed. Kentucky is trending anywhere between 18 and 25 in way-too-early rankings, as On3 Sports recently ranked Kentucky No. 24, which would make them a 5- or 6-seed.
So, while Kentucky fans might hate this projection from Lunardi, it lines up with many media outlets' way-too-early rankings. On the other side, the Cardinals fans absolutely loved this projection. Another well-known college basketball insider is putting the Cardinals above the Wildcats, giving Louisville fans early bragging rights, and also giving Louisville a 2-seed, which proves they are a legit Final Four contender.
Kelsey completely rebuilt this team and has this program back where it belongs. Louisville added nine players this offseason, including two 5-stars, and multiple 4-stars.
The Cardinals haven't been to the Final Four since they won the Big Dance in 2013, and Louisville fans are all-in on the roster Kelsey built and truly believe the 13-year drought could end in 2027.
Also read: Louisville fans will love Jeff Goodman’s take on Cardinals vs. Kentucky debate
For all the latest news and updates on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.
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