Louisville basketball has been earning a lot of hype and recognition this offseason, but the Cardinals might have just received their biggest praise yet. Louisville enters the 2025 season with one of the best odds to not only win the ACC but also win the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
The Cardinals have gone over 12 years without winning the Big Dance, and they can't even claim their last Title as of right now. Louisville fans are starving for a National Championship, and this 2025 season might give them the best chance since 2013. The apparent reason Louisville has these incredible odds is because of the insane backcourt Kelsey built.
Now, as the season gets closer, the Cardinals' backcourt has finally received the recognition the fans have been wanting to hear, and it puts them right in the zone they deserve.
Related: Louisville pushes return of 2013 Title as NCAA braces for mounting pressure
Analyst says the quiet part out loud on Louisville's backcourt
College basketball analyst Ryan Hammer recently released his top 10 backcourts in the nation, and the Cardinals are standing above everyone else. Hammer put Louisville at the No. 1 spot, which is surprising to some college basketball fans, as many rank Purdue or Houston with the best backcourt.
However, with Louisville adding Brown and the three transfers, Hammer sees it quite differently and gives the Louisville fans the hype they have wanted to see all offseason.
Top 10 Backcourts in College Basketball this SZN⬇️ pic.twitter.com/NmVz65xTVy
— Ryan Hammer🔨 (@ryanhammer09) September 9, 2025
The Cardinals have a rare opportunity this season, and they must capitalize on it. Louisville's backcourt might be the best this program has ever had as they have two 5-stars in Brown and Adrian Wooley, and elite shooters and scorers in Ryan Conwell and Isaac McKneely.
On top of all that, they have a veteran point guard in Kobe Rodgers returning from an injury as well. Louisville deserves to be standing at the top as their backcourt can score off the dribble, penetrate the defense, dominate both ends of the floor, but the biggest difference is their ability to shoot lights out from beyond the arc.
Louisville's three transfers all shot above 40 percent from the 3-point line last season while splashing over 70 3-pointers. Now, add a 5-star point guard who proved he can dominate during the FIBA U19, and this backcourt is poised to explode.
Louisville, Purdue, and Houston are battling for that No. 1 spot for the best backcourt, and Hammer giving the Cardinals the crown only raises Louisville's expectations going into the season. The Cardinals will have a challenging schedule, but it is clear this backcourt is the center point for Louisville, and the Cardinals will go as far as it can take them.
Related: CBS analyst just revealed what everyone’s thinking about Louisville’s backcourt
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason, stay tuned.