The transfer portal is beginning to wind down, and while Louisville basketball is still reaching out to fill in their final roster spots, experts are starting to put out their updated way-too-early rankings.
Louisville recently received disrespect from ESPN's Joe Lunardi as the bracketologist predicted Louisville to be a five-seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals fans felt incredibly overlooked, as the Cards have had one of the best offseasons in the nation.
On3 Sports' Jamie Shaw is the newest expert to create way-too-early rankings for the 2025-26 season. The On3 Sports recruiting analyst appears to have more respect for Louisville than Lunardi, as Kelsey and the Cardinals sit right where they belong.
Louisville basketball jumps up to No. 8 in way-too-early Top 25
The Cardinals are ranked No. 8 in Shaw's way-too-early rankings and are the highest ACC team. In most way-too-early rankings, the Duke Blue Devils usually come first, but Shaw appears to love the Cardinals' additions and has the Cards three spots ahead of the Blue Devils.
Duke is ranked No. 11, North Carolina is No. 23, and North Carolina State snuck in at No. 25. The Cardinals being the king of the ACC heading into the 2025-26 season would be a massive achievement. Louisville has never won the ACC regular-season crown or the ACC Tournament Title, and it appears Louisville has a tremendous opportunity to win either title this upcoming season.
Purdue, St. John's, UConn, Houston, and BYU shape the top five in Shaw's way-too-early college basketball top 25. Other notable programs listed are the Cardinals' in-state rival, the Kentucky Wildcats, who are ranked one spot ahead of them at No. 7.
According to FanDuel, the Cardinals have the sixth-best odds to win the 2026 National Championship at +1700, while the Blue Devils have the best odds to win the National Title at +850. The Louisville Cardinals are expected to be one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the nation next season, after securing three sharpshooters from the portal.
The Cardinals and the Blue Devils will have thrilling matchups next season, as these two ACC programs are expected to be the heavy favorites for the ACC crown.
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason, stay tuned.