Mark your calendars: 5 key games for Cards in Year 2 of Pat Kelsey era

Louisville basketball's 2025-26 schedule features no shortage of marquee games.

These five matchups, however, are crucial for Pat Kelsey if he's to take the next step with the Cardinals after a strong start to his revival.

Pat Kelsey and the members of his inaugural Louisville basketball team got a standing ovation as they walked off the court at Rupp Arena after the Cardinals' lopsided loss to Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament .

It's hard to imagine they'll get that warm of a reception if the result is the same this go-around.

This is what Kelsey signed up for — the lofty expectations that come with leading one of the sport's 15 winningest programs. That they've been restored this quickly after Kenny Payne 's disastrous tenure speaks volumes of what the ACC