Fifteen minutes until tip off and most of the KFC Yum! Center crowd of 18,707 is already in the seats. Eager to watch the conclusion of the 2024-25 ReviVille of the University of Louisville men’s basketball program. Basking in the glow of UofL basketball excellence again, some still disbelieving that the resurgence could occur so quickly under a coach committed to a Louisville tradition of excellence. They can wait to get started but they don’t want this season to ever be over.
Under Coach Pat Kelsey, bringing in one of the nation’s best point guards in Chucky Hepburn, a shooting guard in Terrence Edwards, Jr., a 3-point specialist in Reyne Smith. Along with other players so totally committed to each other and the program. Louisville defeating Stanford 68-48 to improve the overall record to 25-7 and 18-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. If not a miracle, a master stroke in coaching — for a individual who would have crawled to UofL for the job.
Pat Kelsey is deserving of anything good that comes his way. His energy is endless, genuine and contagious. He loves Louisville basketball as much, if not more, than many of the die-hard fans making it back downtown these days. This is not a one-year thing with Kelsey, it’s a lifetime commitment. And his commitment certainly includes serious runs at more national championships for the university.
“It was a magical day,” said Kelsey. “It was special. The atmosphere was unbelievable. We honored a phenomenal group of young men that have done a lot to lift up this city and to reestablish the Louisville basketball brand, which as we all know, its rightful place, is amongst the best teams in the country.
‘”I give the crowd today so much credit for, obviously, the impact they had in the game, their belief in us, I thought, the fact that they stayed, and it seemed like everybody was there. I mean, it was packed afterwards for that ceremony, and that meant a lot to those guys. It meant a lot to me as a head coach. Our sole focus is on the ACC. But when you look back over that journey, it’s been a fun one with a really, really special group of men and women as part of our 25 strong, and I’m blessed to be their coach.”
Chucky Hepburn embodies the kind of player that Kelsey wants to have at Louisville. Nobody in the sport runs point guard like Chucky does. And nobody loves the University of Louisville any more than he does. Chucky returning the court to kiss the Cardinal logo leaving the game. During his last 40 minutes on Denny Crum Court, he had 16 points, four assists and four steals.
Terrence Edwards, Jr. again making his presence felt in a lasting way, also contributing 16 points, along with four assists, three rebounds and a steal. The perfect compliment to Chucky, the perfect target for an alley oop. Ready and willing to sacrifice his body for more of those unorthodox shots that somehow find their way through the cords.
J’Vonne Hadley continuing to get better and better as the season advances, coming through with 11 points, two rebounds and two assists.
Reyne Smith, unfortunately relegated to the bench with an injury in his final home game. Family and friends from down under coming all this way to support him. Knowing what the game means to him and what he has meant to the University of Louisville this season. Everyone hoping he recovers quickly and is able to engage in ACC and NCAA tournament action. He has earned the opportunity and destiny should accommodate his deservance.
Those who doubted UofL basketball could return to prominence so quickly had reason to be skeptical. If you will recall, it took Rick Pitino two seasons to get Louisville back into the NCAA tournament. Pat Kelsey started from virtual scratch with no returning players, making this team’s accomplishments so much more impressive. An unbelievable season. Hopefully, it is far from over.
