Louisville basketball is trending to be one of the top teams in college basketball next season, and they will have a huge opportunity to prove that early on in the season. As of right now, the Cardinals have Baylor, Cincinnati, Kentucky, and Memphis on their schedule, but earlier today, it was announced that Louisville will play in a midseason tournament, putting them in a bracket with some big-time programs.
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It was announced that Pat Kelsey and the Louisville Cardinals will be part of the 16-team Players Era Tournament, which will run over Thanksgiving week. When looking at the other teams involved, the Cardinals fans quickly circle a few of them as Louisville will have a chance to prove its worth in November.
Players Era announce their 2 BRACKETS.
— Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) May 7, 2026
Will be 2 separate over 2 weeks in November. With the general MTE restrictions it is impossible to do one big 24 team bracket without any tiebreakers or uneven game totals (trust me I tried)
They heard the concerns & gave us BRACKETS. pic.twitter.com/4qVfIwHnAt
Louisville basketball set to play in midseason tournament
Looking at this bracket, multiple teams are coming off monster seasons, like the 2026 National Champions, the Michigan Wolverines. The Cardinals could have a chance to face Dusty May and Michigan, who are looking to dominate once again, as they are ranked as high as No. 2 right now in On3 Sports' way-too-early rankings.
Also, this 16-team bracket includes St. John’s, which Louisville fans quickly notice. Rick Pitino, of course, is now the head coach of St. John’s, which means the Cardinals and their former Hall of Fame head coach could clash in this bracket for the first time since the two parted ways in 2017. St. John’s is a team some are high on again, as CBS Sports ranks the Red Storm No. 17 in their recent rankings.
Also, a team that jumps out to the Cardinals fans will be Tennessee. Louisville has played Tennessee two straight years under Kelsey, and in both cases, it didn't go the way Louisville hoped. The first year, the Cardinals lost by 22, and this past year, Louisville lost by 21. So, now the Cards could potentially get a huge chance at revenge in the Players Era bracket if they square off for the third straight season. Tennessee is ranked No. 15, one spot behind Louisville in CBS Sports' recent rankings after it landed 5-star transfer Juke Harris.
Other notable teams include Gonzaga, which ranks No. 8 in CBS Sports' rankings, Iowa State, which ranks No. 12 in CBS Sports' way-too-early rankings, Alabama, which ranks No. 18 in CBS Sports' rankings, and Miami, which ranks No. 20 in CBS Sports' way-too-early rankings.
It will be a thrilling bracket and will show just how good this Louisville team is. The Cardinals have the No. 1 portal class in the nation and recently landed the No. 1 center in the 2026 class, Obinna Ekezie Jr.
Dates, matchups and times are not yet released for the 2026 Players Era Bracket.
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For all the latest news and updates on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.
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