Louisville basketball is 3-0 this season, and a key reason for its success is its backcourt. The Cardinals' backcourt is one of the best in the nation, evidenced by the performance of Mikel Brown Jr. and Ryan Conwell in the last game against Kentucky. The two guards combined for 53 points and splashed seven three-pointers.
Also, a key guard for this Cardinals team and someone who is emerging as a fan favorite player is Isaac McKneely. The Virginia transfer is making an immediate impact for the Cardinals, as he is an elite 3-point shooter who knocks down shots from beyond the arc. Well, many fans expected McKneely to be a key player for Pat Kelsey and assumed he would flourish, but there is one area the Cardinals' shooting guard is stepping up big-time.
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Isaac McKneely is turning heads immediately in transition
McKneely is known for his dominance as a 3-point shooter, consistently shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc. He is ranked in the top five for most made 3-pointers in UVA history, as he splashed 233 3-pointers in three seasons, including last year, where he made 101 on 42.1 percent shooting. Through three games with Louisville, the Cardinals' guard is excelling in one specific area, and that is transition.
Many experts and fans knew the sharpshooter would be a perfect fit with Keley and his fast-paced offense, but college basketball analyst Isaac Trotter revealed a glaring stat that showed in just three games with Louisville, McKneely has already taken more 3-pointers in transition this season than he did last year with Virginia.
Stat of the day: Isaac McKneely has already taken more transition 3-pointers (8) at Louisville than he did all of last year at Virginia (6).
— Isaac Trotter (@Isaac__Trotter) November 13, 2025
He has played three games. pic.twitter.com/i07fYaGbXY
McKneely is making an immediate impact in transition, as when the shooting guard sprints down the floor, he becomes an opponent's nightmare. McKneely has made 10 3's this season, with five coming against South Carolina State and three coming against Kentucky. He is the perfect player to play for Kelsey, and through three games, he is already showing why.
With Conwell and Brown Jr. getting a lot of the attention, fans are seeing McKneely shoot lights out from beyond the arc. If they leave him open, it is almost guaranteed to go in, and if they decide to face guard or play up on him, they leave Brown Jr. and Conwell alone, making this backcourt nearly impossible to guard.
This backcourt complements one another, and through three games, the Cardinals fans are loving every second of it. Not many teams can guard these three stars, and with how fast they play, McKneely is emerging as one of the best 3-point shooters in the nation yet again, especially in transition.