Pat Kelsey held his press conference today before the North Carolina State game as the Cardinals and Wolfpack will go head-to-head Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. local time.
Louisville basketball picked up their 18 win of the season, and their 12 win in last 13 games. Cardinals are now in second place in ACC and only a game behind Duke after their shocking upset.
However, Cardinals are getting hit with the injury bug fast. They are already without Kasean Pryor and Koren Johnson for the season as the two Cardinals suffered season-ending injuries earlier in the season. Now, Cardinals played without their star guard Chucky Hepburn last game due to a hip injury, and their main pain presence, James Scott exited the game after just 11 minutes of action.
Pat Kelsey talked on both of their injuries, and not only provided an update but gave a promising update on both, saying both are "hopeful".
Pat Kelsey promising injury update
Chucky Hepburn exited the game against Boston College and missed the game against Miami. Louisville basketball fans have been anxiously awaiting for an injury update, but it seems he is "hopeful" but nothing is official.
"Chucky continues to be day-to-day as we continue to progress and we are hopeful about Wednesday, but nothing is for sure yet."Pat Kelsey stated on Louisville basketball star guard, Chucky Hepburn.
Hepburn currently leads the Cardinals in scoring with 15.1 points per game and averages 6.4 assists per game, and is shooting 42% from the field, and 84% from the charity stripe. Hepburn is filling the stat sheet every game as he also averages 3.5 rebounds, and 2 steals.
As Cardinals and Pat Kelsey never want to rush a groin injury, it is important if Hepburn can return before ACC Tournament. Louisville role players are stepping up and showing they can beat these weaker ACC opponents, but when ACC Tournament and March Madness come around, Pat Kelsey needs his star guard.
As for James Scott, Pat Kelsey is almost positive the forward will return to action on Wednesday.
"We are very very confident that he is going to play," Pat Kelsey stated on Cardinals James Scott. "He was extremely frustrated that he couldn't go right back in the game the other day."
With about 11 minutes remaining in the first half Louisville's center, James Scott, took a rough spill with Brandon Johnson from Miami, as Johnson was seen landing on Smith's head. It was accidental by Johnson, but the contact play caused two of Scott's teeth to get knocked out, making the dominant center to leave the game with a gory scene as blood was visibly dripping from his mouth.
Pat Kelsey had nothing but praise for Scott, expressing how tough the sophomore guard is, and wanted to go back into the game and asked the strength coach if he can workout the next day. Kelsey also stated Scott texted him about 42 times saying he will be ready to play Wednesday.
Scott's paints presence is almost second to none as he leads Pat Kelsey and his Cardinals in blocks per game with 0.8 and dunks per game with a little over 2. Scott averages 7.5 points per game, with 6.7 rebounds per game, which is second on the team.
He is shooting the ball at a prolific 76.5% from the field, which leads all of Louisville. Scott is putting up program records this season with his ability to dunk and be a elite lobe-threat, as he now ranks fifth in Louisville basketball history with the most dunks in a single season with 52 dunks.
Chucky Hepburn and James Scott are two players this Pat Kelsey Cardinals squad can't afford to lose for a long time. It sounds like they are trending in right direction, and there is a possibility both play against the Wolfpack.