Louisville basketball's 2025-26 regular season is officially here as the Cardinals are set to tip off with South Carolina State this evening from KFC Yum! Center at 9 p.m. local time on ACC Network. Louisville went 1-1 in its two exhibition games, and while the fans were left disappointed in its loss to Kansas, Pat Kelsey and his squad beat a solid Bucknell team and showed just how lethal they can be from beyond the arc.
This team is comprised of elite scorers and boasts the depth that makes it a National Championship contender. So, while the national media focuses on Mikel Brown Jr. and Ryan Conwell, the fans are making it clear that there is one specific bench player who is emerging as one of their favorite players and will be Kelsey's ultimate X-factor this season.
Related: 5 huge takeaways from Louisville basketball's two exhibition games
Khani Rooths emerges as Louisville's glaring X-factor
Khani Rooths had an excellent preseason, providing Louisville with the energy and spark they needed in both games. Rooths is a former 4-star recruit who committed to Louisville in 2024 and is coming off his true freshman season, during which he averaged 3.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13 minutes per game.
The Cards fans made it clear in their two exhibition games that Rooths was Kelsey's glaring X-factor, and with the season just hours away, Kelsey made it clear that he is a spark for Louisville.
"He's played really well, and he's been a spark for us in both games," Kelsey stated in his press conference.
Rooths was the only Louisville player to have a positive +\- in both preseason games, as the sophomore was a key piece for Louisville's runs in its showdown with Kansas. The 6-foot-10, 215-pound sophomore averaged 6.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game in the two exhibition games while shooting 57 percent from the floor.
He showed his improvements from beyond the arc as he splashed two 3-pointers against Bucknell, and he showed his grit and toughness on the defensive side that this frontcourt desperately needs. Louisville is likely going to be without Kasean Pryor tonight, and with the frontcourt struggles, some fans are suggesting putting Rooths at center.
The sophomore is an athletic forward who has incredible spring in his step. He would be undersized, but don't put it past Kelsey to play him at the center position. Rooths is going to be a key piece this upcoming season, as that spark he provides that Kelsey mentioned is essential for a National Championship team.
The fans have high expectations for Rooths this upcoming season, and after two preseason games, it has become clear to the fans that he is Louisville's biggest X-factor heading into the 2025-26 regular season.
Related: 5 under-the-radar Louisville basketball players who will shock the nation this season
For all the latest news and updates on Louisville basketball's 2025-26 season and recruiting, stay tuned.