Not even a week ago, the Louisville Cardinals fell to the Creighton Bluejays in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Louisville basketball fell into a massive hole after giving up a 19-2 run, and despite them trying to make a push in the second half of the game, the Cardinals just couldn't overcome the 20-point deficit from the first half.
The Cardinals stars were able to contribute in Louisville's first NCAA Tournament since 2019, but their role players and eventually their glaring weakness were pivotal reasons why they were sent home early in the tournament.
Louisville basketball looking to add shooters after poor March Madness shooting
The Cardinals' glaring weakness late in the season was their 3-point shooting. Louisville basketball shot 27.6 percent against Creighton in their NCAA Tournament game and 27.8 percent from downtown in their final five games of the season.
While Louisville was known to make an impressive 10 threes a game, they also shot 30. It was one of their biggest weaknesses, as against the best teams they faced this season, they shot 27 percent from beyond the arc.
It is a key aspect they must improve this offseason, and judging from the players they have reached out to in the transfer portal, Pat Kelsey agrees. Louisville is one of three finalists for Iowa's transfer Brock Harding. Harding is the No. 31 ranked player in the transfer portal and is the No. 8 best point guard. The guard shot 45.4 percent from the floor and 39.8 percent from downtown last season with Iowa.
The Cardinals have also reached out to Josh Dix, the best shooting guard in the transfer portal. The transfer out of Iowa averaged 14.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 42.2 percent from the 3-point line. Louisville basketball is going all-in on these elite shooters in the transfer portal and is trying to learn from what cost them last season.
Another key player, Pat Kelsey, has reached out to someone who is lethal from beyond the arc: Nevada transfer Nick Davidson. The stretch center averaged 15.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 50.0 percent from the floor and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc. The Cardinals obviously won't land all these top recruits, but they are clearly addressing a major issue from last season.
Louisville didn't shoot from downtown at a great percentage, and all these elite recruits they are heavily interested in are known to be lethal shooters. Kelsey is clearly addressing his major concern from last season and is set to find his next Reyne Smith.
It is no secret Kelsey wants to land a big name in the transfer portal. That big name for Louisville basketball fans to keep an eye on is Isaac McKneely.
McKneely is transferring out of ACC rival Univeristy of Virginia, and many speculate that Pat Kelsey reached him. He splashed over 100 threes on 42 percent last season. The Cardinals are set to go all-in in this transfer portal, and it is clear that the 3-point shooting woes from last season are an area Kelsey wants to improve.
Louisville will look hard in the transfer portal to find their next shooter, but they will also look to improve J'Vonne Hadley and Khani Rooths from beyond the arc. It will be important for this team's future for these two valuable players to stretch the floor and improve their shot from downtown.
It is great to see that Pat Kelsey and Louisville is in the mix for all these elite shooters. The Cardinals fans voice was heard following their loss to Creighton and Kelsey and his staff listened. Louisville will look to add their next lethal shooter, but also more consistent shooters and depth to help elevate this program to the elite level.
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason, stay tuned.