Louisville basketball is entering the 2025-26 season with high expectations as the Cardinals' fans are setting their sights on their first National Title since 2013. Pat Kelsey went out and cooked in the Transfer Portal and landed three elite guards, and got the No. 1 point guard, Mikel Brown Jr., from the 2025 recruiting class.
This backcourt is going to be dominant and a force to be reckoned with, and the Cardinals' legendary point guard Russ Smith just emphasized that. Smith is one of the best point guards in program history as his No. 2 jersey hangs in KFC Yum! Center after he led the Cardinals to their 2013 National Title.
Now, the elite point guard was on air with the Field of 68 podcast, and he just gave this 2025 Cardinals team not just high praise, but let the fans know that this team is destined for a Final Four run.
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Russ Smith just revealed Louisville's true potential in 2025-26
Smith has been with the Cardinals all offseason and has been seen scrimmaging with Kelsey's squad multiple times. The former Cardinal hopped on live with the Field of 68 podcast and stated that this Louisville team is loaded with shooters and they are poised for a legendary run in 2025-26.
"If this team were around when I played, they would probably be a for sure Final Four team, with a chance of winning it," Smith stated Monday. "The way they shoot, the experience, a freshman who wants to be better and do the right things, and with coach Kelsey, he knows what he is doing, yeah, this is a Final Four team."
The former point guard just gave Louisville the biggest praise and set the stage for the Cardinals' 2025-26 season. The fans are all-in on this team and have hyped the program up to be a Final Four team, but to hear it come from a former National Champion proves how legit this squad is.
The Cardinals' earning praise from someone like Smith confirms that this is Louisville's best squad in quite some time, and the city has a reason to be buzzing with excitement. Louisville enters the 2025-26 season as a projected top 10 team in the nation and with +2000 odds to win the National Title.
The Cardinals' depth and backcourt are expected to be Louisville's glaring strength this upcoming season, and Smith just revealed that. Louisville will start its season on October 24 against Kansas at KFC Yum! Center in an exhibition match. Smith's bold prediction is exactly what the fans want to hear as the season approaches, and now Kelsey and the Cardinals have to live up to these expectations.
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For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.