More than anything else, Pat Kelsey went into Louisville basketball’s blockbuster exhibition against Kansas on Friday eager to learn how his Cardinals responded to the bright lights and the big stage of the KFC Yum! Center.
“We’re going to try some stuff; we’re going to work on some different things; we’re going to play a lot of guys,” the coach told reporters Oct. 15, during U of L’s on-campus media day.
Advertisement
But …
“But I’m sure they want to win the game,” he added. “We want to win the game. There’s 22,000 people who are going to be there; they sure want us to win the game, too.”
The record won’t reflect it, but the No. 19 Jayhawks led for more than 36 minutes and by as many as 18 points en route to a 90-82 upset of No. 10 Louisville.
As sweet as a victory would have been to unofficially kick off a season with lofty expectations, the consolation prize ain’t bad, either: 40 minutes of film more valuable than any possession of the Cards’ exhibition romps of Young Harris College and Spalding last fall.
Advertisement
This will stand out the most when U of L runs back the tape: Defense has not taken hold as its – to borrow a phrase from Kelsey – “stinking identity” just yet; and offensive rhythm was hard to come by.
Kansas took a 46-30 lead into halftime because Louisville didn’t have an answer for its brightest star, freshman guard Darryn Peterson, who poured in 24 points on 8-for-11 shooting (6 for 9 from 3-point range) in 15 minutes of run. The Cards, on the other hand, made only 9 of their 29 field-goal attempts and 2 of their 16 tries from beyond the arc before the break.
They finished with 21 baskets and 20 turnovers – and an 11-for-38 clip from 3. That’s why this one wasn’t closer despite Peterson being held to only two points during the second half.
Ryan Conwell led U of L in scoring with 26 points on 7-for-21 shooting. The senior Xavier transfer knocked down a team-high nine free throws. Sixth-year returner J’Vonne Hadley (13), senior Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely (10) and five-star freshman Mikel Brown Jr. (10) were the other double-digit scorers but combined to go 8 for 27 from the field.
Advertisement
The Cards have one more exhibition before the 2025-26 season officially tips off: vs. Bucknell at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Yum! Center. Year 2 of the Kelsey era begins with U of L hosting South Carolina State at 9 p.m. Nov. 3.
This story will be updated.
Reach Louisville men’s basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What Pat Kelsey learned in Louisville basketball loss to Kansas
