Louisville basketball is 5-0, and the Cardinals are set to take on Eastern Michigan this evening from KFC Yum! Center. The Cards are coming off a gritty win over Cincinnati, where Ryan Conwell and Mikel Brown Jr. once again led Louisville in scoring, with Sananda Fru showing he can be an elite two-way player.
The latest AP Polls were released this afternoon, and while the Cards didn't move in the rankings, their schedule did get much tougher. Louisville's non-conference schedule is no joke as the Cards are playing three teams from the SEC, two from the Big 12, and one from the Big 10. Five of their opponents on this non-conference schedule made the 2025 NCAA Tournament, and three reached the Sweet 16.
So, while Louisville might have moved up in these rankings, some teams did give the Cardinals a massive opportunity to send a statement to the rest of the nation in December.
Related: 3 most important non-conference games left on Louisville basketball's schedule
Latest AP Polls gives Louisville a massive opportunity in December
Many knew Louisville's non-conference schedule was going to be challenging, and with the Cards already dominating their first five wins, including wins over Kentucky and Cincinnati, the fans now turn their attention to December. Louisville stayed put at No. 6 in the nation, but in these latest polls, a new Big 10 team is ranked, which will help the Cards'Cards' schedule.
Indiana jumped into the rankings after their 5-0 start, and these two teams will face off on December 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Indiana is the fourth-ranked team on the Cards' non-conference schedule, as Tennessee is ranked No. 17, Kentucky is ranked No. 19, Arkansas is ranked No. 21, and the Hoosiers are ranked No. 25.
The Cards still have to play at Tennessee, at Arkansas, and in Indiana. These three games are lined up consecutively, with Memphis thrown in as well. Louisville will travel to Arkansas on December 3, then to Tennessee on December 6, then back home against Memphis on the 13th, and back on the road in Indiana on the 16th.
Louisville is the real deal, and already a National Title contender, but the latest AP Polls revealed that this four-game stretch across 11 days is going to be a massive opportunity for Pat Kelsey and the Cardinals to show where they truly stand in the country.
Related: The 5-game nightmare stretch that will make or break Louisville's ACC Title dreams
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.