The 2025-26 season may be closer than some fans realize, and the Louisville Cardinals are buzzing with excitement. With Louisville's blockbuster showdown with the Kansas Jayhawks almost a month away, the Cardinals fans are all over nearly every preseason prediction and ranking.
Louisville basketball currently has one of the best odds to win the 2026 National Title with +2000 odds, and is most likely on pace to be a top 10 team for the first AP rankings. Well, as the fans wait for the first AP rankings, they turn to The Field of 68, which just recently dropped its preseason Top 25, and the Cardinals fans are loving every part of it.
Related: Louisville's non-conference schedule proves the Kentucky clash is on the perfect date
Louisville's blockbuster showdown with Kentucky just got even better
Louisville is expected to be a top 10 team in the nation, and The Field of 68 has given Pat Kelsey and his Cardinals a lot of praise. However, putting Louisville at No. 6, one spot ahead of their in-state rivals, the Kentucky Wildcats, who are No. 7, has the Cardinals fans swarming the comments and immediately laughing at the Wildcats' nation.
NEW: College Basketball Preseason Top 25 via @TheFieldOf68🏀
— On3 (@On3sports) September 15, 2025
Do you agree? 🤔https://t.co/oM5DyvFfYV pic.twitter.com/se3MZuxoml
The Cardinals and the Wildcats are expected to be two of the best teams in the nation, making that November 11 showdown one of the most anticipated matchups in November and, quite possibly, in college basketball. Both teams have tremendous potential for their elite 2025 recruiting class, as well as additions from the Transfer Portal.
However, Louisville fans can't help but notice the Cardinals ranked one spot ahead of Kentucky. Louisville fans have high expectations entering the 2025-26 season, and they expect to finish higher than Kentucky. The Cardinals feel this is the year they get the job done, and not just beat Kentucky, but win their first March Madness game since 2017, and make their first Final Four and win their first National Championship since 2013.
These two fan bases make up one of the best rivalries in college sports. The two Kentucky programs have a historic basketball rivalry, and Louisville fans are letting not just Kentucky fans but the entire nation know that this program is back, and they are poised for a massive 2025-26 season.
Related: 5 non-conference matchups that will define Louisville basketball’s season
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason, stay tuned.