10.21: Hoops Is Back - Hour 1

number six team in the country. But to just be here at you know, four and three at this point, it just, you know, it's not what really any of us would have expected for Louisville football. And doesn't mean that the season's going to be a failure no matter what happens the rest of the way. It doesn't mean

they can't still, you know, finish strong. It's just I don't know, like Saturday was was it for me as far as just having to realize, Yeah, what I thought this team could accomplish this year is really no longer in play. And again, it's worse for me as a fan to know that really it, you know, could have been avoidable, it would could have should have. Really good teams make mistakes and crucial times, like it's not unheard of for them to be a team in this situation.

It's just I don't know, I'd rather be humbled and realize, Okay, what are you going to do? You've just got this opponent that even the you know, you're pretty good, You feel really good about your team, your ability, your coaching staff, all that stuff, But you just went up against a team that is just flat out better than you. And look, Miami can say that has some you can say that Notre Dame can say that it's just how we got here. Just I don't know. It bums me out a little bit.

But again I needed to pick me up, and I've got it, not only because we're here. It's three o'clock and it's coffee and company. It's time to get after it, get another week started here. But right before the show, no joke, like maybe you know, thirty forty five seconds before we went live here the beautiful bald man who's on right now on eight to forty, whas that is down the hall. He popped in. He's excited about tonight's

Louisville basketball exhibition game, and I am too. We started talking Louisville hoops, and all of a sudden, I'm excited. I mean, I've been excited for this upcoming season, but tonight's the first night you get a chance to see Pat Kelsey coach his team. And it's not a real game. The team that they're playing. Had to just do a quick double check to make sure I have the name right. It's young Harris, not old Harris, but young Harris. But again,

not a real game, exhibition. But I'm telling you, I think, not only do we not have to worry about losing exhibition games? God, I hope. Now what if that happened, then that would be and that would be Louisvill will be cursed. I mean, I don't I can't even process any kind of visual of what any react, like, what my reaction would be, what fans reaction would be like. I don't. I don't think there's any chance that happens. One, because you know, we're in a much better place now

as a program. But here's my You know, if there's anybody that's not really worried about this game tonight because it's an exhibition, it's against a bat you know, Division two team that you've never heard of, I get it. But one, it is your first chance to see Pat Kelsey coach this team. And also he's gonna treat it like a real game. He wasn't just saying that because maybe he thought that's what people would want to hear

from a new coach. He was quite serious when he said at Media Day last week that they're gonna treat young Harris as if it's due because that's how that's a big part in why Pat Kelsey is, you know, in this position where you know he's had enough success to get on the radar of a program like Louisville and sell himself and now he's the coach here and fans are super excited. But he's routine, right every I mean, he's got a formula, he sticks with it. He doesn't

know how to take time off. It sounds like, so, you know, thoughts and prayers to young Harris tonight, because I think they may be in for a real beatdown, which is what you want. And usually that doesn't really move the needle much because that's just what we came to expect in a previous world. But this most recent world that we had was really a you know, a nightmare.

Louisvill's thirty nine game winning streak and exhibition games was snapped a couple of years ago when they went down to Leanne Rimes and only scored forty seven points in the game. So and then last year we all know what happened, lost to Kentucky Wesleyan. So let's get a new streak started here where you don't lose exhibition games.

So anyways, I didn't need that. Terry comes in. He's excited, you know because obviously he's a big UFL supporter, and he and his lovely wife have season tickets and they're gonna be there tonight, and we're gonna be here tonight because we've got postgame. We will have a Louisville basketball

postgame show tonight. I haven't mentioned it yet on the show or I guess anywhere, to be honest with you, but yes, we are doing louis basketball postgame shows again this season, and because of the new era and because of the excitement that's there, we're gonna do the exhibition games as well. So tonight will be your first chance to react to whatever you see with Pat Kelsey coaching and leading this program. So we'll talk a little bit about you know what I'm anxious to see tonight when

it comes to this this exhibition game. But obviously we got to talk football. We'll do that. Not only is it Louisville fans that are you know, And actually I don't know, to be honest with you, after the postgame show, yes, or on Saturday afternoon, I kind of checked out as

far as, like, you know, consuming social media. You know, it's not like I've been chatting that I haven't listened to really anything I've been and I I can blame it on being sad about what happens Saturday, maybe just trying to distract myself with other things, and I don't really know if that's what it is. But you know, the last time I talked to anybody about where Louisville football is was when I took a call at the end of the post game show Saturday, so we can

kind of reset. Maybe you feel differently now than you did after the game. I don't I mean to be where we are. It's I would say most are disappointed, but I don't think that many people look at this team and feel as if they're terrible and we were completely sold something that's not real. I mean, if there is anything we were really wrong about, it's the defense. But you know, I don't really know where blame can

go other than the obvious, and that's Ron English. Obviously, Jeff Brahm is responsible for the guy he hired to lead his defense, and that's Ron English. Players are always accountable to an extent. But I mean, that's where we were wrong. That is where you sit back and say, you know, we were foolish to assume that the defense would be the last thing we need to worry about this year. And I thought that was the case because

of personnel. Right, I'm on my way in here today and I see that big billboard, and it's got two guys that I felt like were all American caliber first round draft pick players, Quincy Riley and Ashton Jalattie. And it's not just those guys that led to Louisville fans myself included having big expectations for the defense this year, but like top to bottom, they're just not getting it done.

I'm not singling out anybody as players. I mean, I guess we can single out the decordinator given the fact that you know he's quite literally responsible for the defense as a whole, But the guy over top of him is Jeff Brohm, and he's responsible too, So I'm not really looking to do any kind of finger pointing here as far as who specifically is to blame. But either way, the results aren't there for the defense and they should

be better than they are. And if you want to take all the blame and put it on Jeff because he continues to employ Ron English, then you know, knock yourself out. If you want to put it all on Ron English, you can do that too. In fact, he and he wanted people to blame him last year when things kind of fell apart. In this year, the defense

just isn't good enough. And I know they played the number one offense in the country, like I know that they went up against a quarterback that's got a good chance to win the Heisman, and they won't play a better offense this year. But they also gave up an ungodly amount of yards. And I don't care who's out there on offense, you shouldn't give up five hundred and thirty eight yards. I mean, your offense scored forty five points and put up four hundred and forty eight yards

of their own. Special teams got you a touchdown with the Colin Lacy kick return, like that should be enough for you to win. But it wasn't because of a variety of things, but most importantly, the defense just wasn't able to consistently get off the field. And yes, cam warton Miami, they were a factor, but you know, seeing those guys just trucking over Louisville defenders meeting the running backs.

Martinez for Miami, and he's talented, but you shouldn't, you know, you shouldn't be able to carry people in the end zone the way that the way that they did at times. I mean, Louisville gave up one hundred and fifty five rushing yards after contact. They gave up one hundred and seventy five receiving yards after the catch, meaning once plays were made, guys didn't wrap up. Guys didn't finish the job. And that's not because we don't have guys that have

the ability to the ability to do it. I just think this defense is kind of I mean, they're clearly second guessing themselves. I mean it's hard not to question. You know, I hate to being the guy that questions someone's effort because I just think it's it's rich to sit on the couch or sit in your seat at the game and be able to claim, you know, the amount of effort someone is giving when they're out there playing. But sometimes it's hard to just ignore what you see.

And when you see these guys just you know, arm tackling and you know, just getting embarrassed, I mean, it's hard not to want to question some effort and question if they're really given it. They're all I mean, I don't think out there intentionally trying to be a bad defense, but at the end of the day, they're just not They're not getting it done, and that's disappointing. So again, disclaimer,

you are just now joining us. I mean, I'm complaining a lot, and I'm calling out I think what's pretty obvious. But this team can still finish with a pretty good record, and who knows, maybe they'll be playing their best ball at the end of the year and maybe what we turn our sights to is just finally getting rid of that streak. When it comes to the Kentucky matchup, I mean, I'd hate to be in that position where you feel

like that's really all you have to play for. But as far as wins that are going to have some real current, you know, wins that have value currency to where you know it's not just okay, what you're supposed to do, it was something that either meant something because it really does make you look good, or it means something.

When it comes to who you beat the rival, you still have Clemson, and yeah, that would be huge, but look, seven games in, do we feel like Louisville's going to go to Clemson and put together a performance that is good enough to win there the first time ever? When Clemson's playing really really good football right now and Louisville, you know, has consistently made some crucial mistakes at really

really bad times that completely flip a game. I mean the penalty on the kickoff that led it to snapping it on what your own two or three yard line, and then the fumble. I mean, that's that's a big crucial mistake that just can't happen. And you know, you were able to keep fighting, and that's one thing that is worth at least acknowledging. It doesn't count as a win. But they'll make a big mistake and it looks as if like you know, what, do you know, what are

you gonna do? Like, man, here they go again, just committing a mistake that is a killer. But then they'll fight back, right, they'll claw back, and they'll keep it competitive. Like this team is competing. They're they're they're losing to good teams just by a score, and you know, it's all would it could have? Should Again? It doesn't. It

doesn't count as a win. It's just I feel like if they were a little bit better at avoiding the crucial mistake, then they'd have maybe one, maybe two, hell maybe even all three of these would be wins instead of losses. Again, would it could have? Should have? They're a four and three football team, and that would make you, by definition average, and I think they've got ability that is above average. But unless you actually get those results,

I mean, it doesn't really matter. It is Coffee and Company we are feel about Thornton's here on Sports Talk seven ninety. Appreciate you guys hanging out with us here on a Monday to get things started. My name is Nick Coffee. I hope you knew that. If not, now you do. The company managed John Alden is alongside. He had himself a good weekend. He's the only one around here because if you're a Louis a fan and you're a Kentucky fan, you aren't feeling very good about where

things are. And I couldn't even really take a whole lot of I mean, it was nice to see Kentucky get embarrassed and lose by four touchdowns at Florida, a team that you know has really been talked about more than anything this year because they're going to fire their coach, and you wondered if the bottom would fall out and they put together what has to be their best performance of the season, I would assume, I mean, I haven't

really followed Florida because they haven't really been relevant enough. But I would imagine they don't have many, you know, twenty eight point victories of the four wins they have this year, So you know, I wanted to feel a little better seeing that result late at night. And again it was the preferred outcome for someone like myself who's

a Louisville fan. But you know, when Louisville loses, and you know, it's the third time they've had a chance to knock off a good team, and I mean SMU, I still believe is a good team, and I give them all the credit in the world. That's not quite the game that Notre Dame and Miami are as far as like what's at stake. I mean, you went into the SMU game thinking that you know, you should win and a loss would be a real surprise, and you know, they came in and just beat you, So credit to them.

I don't want to act like that one doesn't. You know that it is a good team that beat you. But at the time, I don't think we really knew that Louisville was going to have, as you know, a record that they've got now at this point in the season, and I don't know if we knew. I mean, in fact, I'll tell you I didn't think SMU was as good as they are until I watched them play Louisville and they you know, they took care of business and they haven't. You know, they haven't lost since. The only loss they

have is to a BYU team that is undefeated. But that's what I didn't want, Like, I don't want to be in a position where we just look at the rest of the year and hope that we get past the teams were supposed to be, meaning Louisville. Like, you know, you feel you should feel pretty good about Boston College, but then again, you'll hear me say it throughout the week. I'm not putting them on upset alert, but like Boston College,

if you don't play well, they'll beach at home. I mean, like, they've proven to be a team that can compete with some pretty good teams in Louisville. You know, they haven't been able to put anybody away. Really, I mean, to be honest with you, I mean, outside of their games against Austin p and Jacksonville State, every other win that they've had could have easily gone the other way. So maybe you're not looking at Boston College as like a

sheer fire win. I mean, I feel like Louisville is better and they and they should win, but I'm also aware that they could make some mistakes here which would be on par for them, and they could mess around and lose to this Boston College team that you know they're better under Bill O'Brien, there's no doubt about that. But I still don't think that you shouldn't be in a position where you're looking at these games and thinking to yourself, well, you know what, we'd be really fortunate

to win. And I'm not really looking at it like that because I think if Louisville plays, you know, the kind of game they played against Virginia, they should win. But we all know that was a game that until late they i mean, they nearly lost. They needed a late touchdown there to put that one away. After Boston College, you've got Clemson at their place, a place you've never won and have only really been competitive there maybe twice.

Stanford on the road. That's a weird game. And then Pitt's still unbeaten and ranked, not sure if they'll mean not sure if they'll be ranked by the time you get there on November twenty third, but right now, on paper, and probably those who watch the ACC a lot more in depth than I do would tell you that they think Pitt's better, and then it's Kentucky. So look, there's

still plenty of football to be played. I've never been somebody that felt like Louisville had to make the playoff or had to be right outside the playoff for it to be looked at as a good season. But we also, i think, realistically, felt like that was something you could aim for, and seven games in that's gone, and that's what's disappointing. It doesn't mean that they're destined to be,

you know, underwhelming the rest of the way. But in games that you played that you know, you knew there'd be some value if you win, you lost them all up to this point. Doesn't mean you can't finish strong and maybe get that win at Clem Center, maybe in the streak with Kentucky. But we have to you know,

at least you can do whatever you want. I have to go, Yeah, I have to run with what we've seen, right, results matter, and this team, you know they've they've had they've got an identity, right, I mean, expecting them to show up and not make such a big critical mistake was was you know, just it was just blind hope. To be honest with you, I don't mean to sound over the top, but I mean when somebody tells you who you are every week and they show it to

you and it's consistent, trust what that is. And that's what we say on Saturday. And I'm not and You're never gonna be perfect. And I know it sounds like I'm asking for perfection, but if you look at some of the crucial mistakes the Louis has made and the three losses that they have, even in a couple of the wins they have, especially at Virginia, you know, I'm sure you can you'll find other teams that have made

similar mistakes. But I'd be shocked if Louisll's not up there as far as like wow, like, man, that's the one thing you couldn't do, and yeah, you know in game you're able to overcome it at times, because yeah,

you you had a chance late there. I mean, if if they count that touchdown instead of reversing the call and saying that it was an incomplete pass from cam Ward, then you know, and if you find, if you find a way to win, then you're not even thinking about the other mistakes because you're happy you held on to win.

But when you don't, and then you look back and realize, man, we put ourselves in this situation to where it didn't have to come down to that late call or late no call or late call reversal that Miami just seems to be so accustomed to now. So for me, you know why why it sounds so I guess sad or and just defeated. And Jeff sounded defeated too earlier today. I'm sure part of that was because he had to share some really unfortunate news that they've lost to Murray

Johnson for the year. I mean, that's that just sucks for the young man who really started to come on and got a lot of talent, and now he's gonna be I mean, he's out for the season, and you know, who knows what the recovery timeline is for him. I'm sure he'll be back at some point. I don't know why to act like he's never gonna play again, but

you know that that's tough news. But I think Jeff's also defeated because you know, his team's not nearly as good as he knows they can be, and they gotta, they gotta, you know, they got to figure that out.

I wish, you know, it's what it could have should at this point, you know, the big opportunities that were there are are gone, and yeah, there's still a couple that I feel like would give you, you know, some real satisfaction as a fan, But just expecting that to happen at this point, I think is a little you know,

it's being a little naive, I guess. So for me, I wanted Saturday to be the game that you could, you know, you could come out and play well and really, let's just say the same result happen, right, you lose by a score to a Miami team in a shootout,

fifty two to forty five. Where you know, when I'm watching this thing real time, I'm not really considering how entertaining it is because I'm only looking at it from one perspective, and that is a diehard Louisville fan who wants to see Louisville pull off a big win, a win that they really need to kind of, you know, change how we're viewing this season. But you know, in hindsight, it was a hell of a game, especially that third quarter. I mean it was a great atmosphere, a really really

juiced crowd for a noon kickoff. I mean, the atmosphere was awesome and the entertainment was awesome. If you're somebody that didn't really care who won and you didn't bet on it, but you know, I wanted Louisville to win, and they came up short, but I wanted it to

be a game where you could burn. When I say burn, I mean you lose that and you're not really viewed as it making any kind of an impact as far as what you you know, obviously, if you lose any ACC game and you got teams that have you know, less losses than you or no losses, then clearly that's

going to impact the standings. But if you would have taken care of business against SMU and not you know, not gotten off to such a poor start where they really controlled, you know, they control things from the jump with their offense getting out there, getting comfortable and just you know, embarrassing you defensively. And then against Notre Dame, you know, you eliminate one of those goofs that you

had maybe you hold on and win there. You know, maybe if you don't have the false start on four or sorry not false start, but the delay of game on fourth and one when you're driving on the road, like this would have been the loss where it almost this isn't the best comparison because it's it's not the same, Like Louisville was a different team that at the time people clearly viewed as like a legit. I mean, when

Louisvill and Lamar Jackson went to Clemson and lost. At that time, you know, louisll was looked at as a team that could make the four team playoff. Like even after that loss, that's no near what Louisville could have

done here against Miami. But I guess the reaction more so of not about like, Okay, these are the two best teams in the country, but a reaction of to wear Okay, Louisville lost, but I still feel like they're really good and maybe some team like maybe some people are saying that, but at the end of the day, you now have three losses on the year, two in conference, and that's just not I think what anybody would have expected seven games in. And if you did, then you

were right. Congratulations to you. I just felt like Louisville, you know, more than anything, had a chance to start off better than this because I didn't think SMU was going to be as big of a challenge as they were, and they beat you, you know, Notre Dame, and we knew, I think was going to be a tough task, but then to see it play out the way it did,

it makes it even more maddening. So to lose this one and it'd be your third loss as of October twenty First, it's not the end of the world, but it did kind of make the you know, the frustration from the first two losses that I feel like didn't need to happen. It just you know, it's like it's like all three of them hit me on Saturday, and I'm still sad about it. It just hit me and turned my frustration and anger to sadness. But you know, that's that's what we sign up for as lunatic sports fans.

We probably care way more than we should, but you know, it's the only thing I know. And did you play with your kids? Did it make you feel better? Uh? No, I did yesterday a little bit. But Saturday after we wrapped up the postgame show. What did I I mean, I ended up I ended up going out for a friend's birthday later that night. That was a nice kind of distraction, I suppose, But yes, you know, usually I just try to you know. In fact, I watched wrestling

yesterday with my son. He's he's Moose is now into professional wrestling, but not like the current stuff. Like he saw wrestling on the Peacock app that we have because we were watching Actually it might have started whenever the Peacock app became something we utilized when Louisville played Notre Dame earlier this year and peak. The Peacock Network is

the home of all of I guess wwfs. WWE's like library, like their catalog, like stuff from like, you know, before I was born and stuff when I was as a kid, and somehow he wanted to watch that one time and now, you know, so yesterday, when everybody was watching NFL, I spent about an hour, you know, just watching old wrestling from the nineties with my son. And it was actually he didn't know it. But it was a nice distraction because football would have just made me, would have made

me more sad. But We'll get through it. I mean, I hope we will. We will play on Friday night, which you know, gives you a chance to not have I guess instead of having a loss, lingering and just you know, having that bitter taste in your mouth instead of it being for seven days, it could be for six days because you know, you got a quick turnaround. But I'm also not prepared to just say, well, hey,

they're gonna you know, they should win. I think they're better, but seven games in just basing you know what we know and what we've seen, like they could easily lose and it wouldn't be considered a huge surprise. So we'll see. Are we loaded today again? Not only do we talk about where Louisville football goes from here, will continue to maybe not be as miserable knowing that Kentucky fans are probably just as miserable with their team, and Louisville basketball

is in action tonight. That makes me. That makes me happy. That's gonna be a lot of fun. And you know that's what you would expect me to say, but like literally, like this team's gonna be fun as hell to watch, and it's nice going into this not feeling like you have to worry about losing to you know, an exhibition opponent. I'd stick with us. It's Coffee and Company, and we are feel about Thornton's right here on Sports Talk seven ninety. All right, So if you guys would like to join

in on the show today, you can. Phone lines are open. Five oh two five seven one seventy nine hundred is the number. If you want to give us a call. You can text in on the Ellen and Federal Credit Union tex line at five O two six five three zero seven ninety in a reminder, you can take us with you wherever you go, whatever you do, and you can listen live on the Aarheart Radio app also live. It's seven ninety Louisville dot com. So there's many that

have have arready. I mean, it's not even something that is new post Miami loss. It's been min suggested by Louisville fans here and there for really the last I don't know, last few weeks, and that is the run English situation. And I'm not like here to defend him as if you know he's great and that he's not worthy of criticism, because he clearly is. I just for those that say he needs to be fired, like right now. Like if he was, I wouldn't you know, I wouldn't

be stunned. My jaw wouldn't be on the floor. But I don't really know what that would do, Like, I don't really know what that would accomplish. And again I don't say that to defend him. I'm not saying that, like he needs to keep his job long term. I just don't know mid year getting rid of him, what that would what that would accomplish. I mean, I don't really you know. I clearly he's still he's still leading the defense, it seems, and Jeff has been pretty critical

of the defensive game plan and strategy. And when he when he's critical like that, I think it's because he you know, I mean, he says we, but we all know he's not just talking about him. I think he's talking about the guy who's in charge of the defense, which is Ron English. However, Jeff knows he's responsible for his entire staff, So I think that's why he says we,

and that's why he says us. So I just you know, if you want to throw out there that you think he should be canned, that's your opinion and you're entitled to it. And I don't think that's crazy just because you know, the defense has been a problem at times this year, and I personally think that even despite some of the injuries, you should still be better than you are.

But I don't know, maybe and this isn't you know, I don't think this is crazy to say, but it might be a situation where they go watch film and it's you know, jeff Ron English, I mean the whole staff, whole team. I'm sure they do. I mean, I know the position groups, and I mean it's not as if you know you're doing the it's not like every week of preparation you're all together, all one hundred players on

the team. But like, I wouldn't be shocked if you go and look at some of the plays here, specifically from the Miami game, and say to yourself, Okay, well they were there. I mean, wasn't a perfectly defended play, but you know, to hear to see that Miami had one hundred and fifty to fifty rushing yards after first contact and they had one hundred and seventy five receiving

yards after they caught the ball. I mean, it may just be guys needing to take more accountability and tackle better, you know, better angles, you know, don't arm tackle, you know, get low, and you know, don't get trucked, don't embarrass yourself because that happened from time to time. So I'm not defending run English. I just don't know at this juncture of the season what eliminating him from the staff would mean. I don't mean kill him, but you know,

I'm getting rid of him. I don't know what that would what that would do to make things better. But again, if they did it, I wouldn't be totally shocked. I would I would have expected before even Monday, before even the Miami game, maybe there would have been some encouragement from Ron to lean on his other staffers on the defensive side to kind of help with with the game plan or whatnot. And maybe he's already doing that and

we just don't know it. I'm not sure, but clearly, you know, the Louisville defense has been underwhelming this year. And it's not to say the offense has been perfect, because they're not. But you know, I thought Jeff was really good at play calling, designing some things on Saturday, and you know, I thought it was one of the offense's better days. And you know, Tyler Shuck continues to look like a guy who is really special, and at this point it kind of started starting to look like

maybe it'll be a wasted season of him. I mean that that may sound a little dramatic, maybe a little over the top, but you know, if they continue to kind of be the same team they've been all year and the identity remains, I would say they're likely going to have a pretty underwhelming record, and it'll probably be wins against teams you just feel like you won because you're a lot better than them, or I don't know, maybe you lose one of these games you just expect

to win. I'm not sure, but yeah, I mean disappointing, no doubt. All right, five O two five seven, one seventy nine hundred is the number. If you guys want to jump in and give us a call. Let's go to the phone lines. Now we welcome in Cody. Cody, you're on Sports Talk seven ninety.

coming up. We got the scrimmage tonight. So, Nick, do you think is a fan base like it's gonna Do you think it could be unfair to Pat Kelsey the expectations that US Cardinal fans are gonna have because of how bad the football team is doing that we're gonna want Pat Kelsey to come in here year one and just to have this team back as a national championship

contender or on along that level. Maybe not along that level, maybe like a Sweet sixteen type of team where if he even has a decent season, that our expectations might not be met and that might be unfair to him because of what we've seen from football so far. Nick, love the show, brother, I'm gonna hang up and listen.

like the pieces. I think Pat Kelsey went out and strategically found guys who fit exactly what he wants to do. You know, I think he also wanted to go get guys that have some history of being a part of a winning culture. I mean, they've got four guys on this team that have all scored over a thousand points. Eleven players on this team were on NCAA tournament teams last year, so you know, I think there's a lot

to like. But again, ultimate unknown, Like, I feel like we've got guys that can match up with some of the really good run some of the teams that right now are believed to be top fifteen, top twenty. Does that mean they beat them? I don't know. But I'm also like, I hate to use the word guessing because it's not like we don't know anything about these dudes. I mean, we've watched Chucky Hepburn play for years at

Wisconsin and be their leader. Right. You know, the other guys on this team we've probably you know, heard of, maybe we watched them here and there, But you know, it's not like we've I mean, you're not getting dudes from high school and just hoping that they're really good freshmen that could contribute right away. These are grown men who played a lot of college basketball, have a lot of experience. It's just the ultimate when I say it's the ultimate unknown, it's just how it all works together.

But I think you know, it wasn't just hey, let me look at which guy average this many points. Again, I think it was quite strategic as far as how Pat built the roster when it comes to the personnel and what you can do with with with with your group meaning versatility meaning experience. I mean, you've got guys that can play three different positions. That's like the major already of your roster, to be honest with you. So with all that said, I think this is a team

that has the ability to be a tournament team. I think nobody over there on Floyd Street would would be bothered or surprised if they knew that this fan base was expecting Pat Kelsey to be in the tournament in the first year. Now, does that mean everybody's gonna lose their mind if it doesn't happen and think that this is going to be a disastrous era of Louis of basketball.

I certainly hope not, and I don't believe so. But you know, even after tonight, if they win by fifty and their reign in threes and it just looks like, you know, an absolute beatdown, which may happen, that'll be encouraging. I'll be excited. I'll probably put a little more into it than I typically would, just because it is exciting to be here in a brand new era and we're

feening for some good basketball. But to answer your question, Cody, I would hope that fans aren't expecting this team to you know, win the national championship or even you know, make a deep run. I mean, we'll see. It's just even thinking about end of the year record expectation, tournament stuff like it just it every year, regardless of if you got your whole team back or you bring if you're bringing in a brand new team. You really never know.

But this is again, it's the ultimate unknown. So for me, I don't think fans are expecting this team to be elite, like one of the best LEVA teams ever. So you know, I can't speak for anybody but myself. I just think fans are excited because it's new, because this guy seems to really, you know, relate to us. I mean, he's hit, he's he's hit all the notes when it comes to making fans feel like, you know, he's the guy that's going to get this thing turned around. And I think

that he will. But I don't know, I get a little not uncomfortable when it comes to expectations. I mean, nobody has a clue. I mean, we may watch this team play their first six seven games and be having much different conversations than we ever thought we would be having. I mean I don't say that because I'm predicting it.

It's just nobody has a clue. But as far as what we have seen from those exhibitions in the Bahamas, and from what we do know about the players on this roster, of course that have all never played together and we've never seen them play here at Louisville, there's enough there to where I think saying, hey, if this team makes the tournament, I'm going to be pleased. That's where I am personally, But I know others. I'm sure there are people listening that think, hey, Nick, you're getting

ahead of yourself. This team will be lucky to make the tournament. And maybe you're right, or there's some people that think, what are you talking about? This is Louisville. Pat Kelsey went out and put together a great team. They better make the tournament. Like again, everybody's going to have their own way of looking at it. I'll just be straight up, and I think I've been pretty consistent

about it. One we don't have a clue, But for me, I'm going in thinking, hey, in year one, this team, from what I know now, looks like they've got the pieces to be a tournament team, maybe even a team that gets a decent seed. But one thing we do know is we're going to find out pretty early as far as what this team, you know, how they look right out of the gate, because it's got to be one of, if not the most challenging non conference schedules

in college basketball. And some of that, of course, is dependent upon what happens in the Bahamas and the Battle of for Atlantis. You got Indiana in your first game that's certainly gonna be a tough matchup their top twenty team, and then who you get from then on really just again it depends on the results, but take away just the non conference part of it. I mean again, that's a huge factor because you play the majority of your

non conference games to the beginning of the season. But you get Duke in your first ACC game, and then you get Carolina. I think it's on January first, New Year's Day, so you know, in the calendar year twenty twenty four, this team's gonna play a lot of really good teams and at that point we'll know, so as somebody who is always wanting to see where you're you know, is a fan of Louisville or a fan of any

team like. That's why I hate the, you know, games against teams we've never heard of, because it doesn't really give you a chance to learn anything. We're gonna learn right away because pack Kelsey's second game here, real game that is at Louisville at the UMP Center, is gonna be against Tennessee, who is preseason top fifteen. I think they're number twelve, So you know, I'm not saying that if they lose these games, it means we should not

be expecting the tournament. But if a lot of these teams on paper are as good as everybody thinks they are, we're going to find out, you know, and maybe they lose them and you feel like, hey, they're you know, it's a work in progress, right, They're still trying to gel all that kind of stuff. But one thing I do know is that I'm excited about Louisville basketball. But

I guess I should. What Cody's done there with that call is and I'm sure he wasn't intending to do this, but he's at least got me thinking enough to where I should probably be a little bit more transparent about my excitement. Doesn't mean I think this team's going to be elite in year one. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe they are, but I'm just excited because it's not what we had before, and you know, I think we all feel that way

all right Tonight, Young Harris in Town. That's a team, not a person, not a band, but a Division two basketball team from Georgia. They're here to take on Louisville and Pat Kelsey's first exhibition game, and we will have a postgame as soon as it ends, probably around I don't know, nine o'clock or so. We'll go live here acting to who knows what. Hopefully a big time blowout

and should be a lot of fun. All right, quick break, we'll come back on the other side, wrap up the three o'clock hour, don't go anywhere, keep it locked right here on Sports Talk seven ninety. So. This Miami team that came in and knocked off Louisville on Saturday, certainly a talented group, and nobody more talented for them than cam Ward who it was special and you know, seeing him in action from start to finish. I mean it's not like he's got blazing speed that you know, you

don't that you never see. He's just he's real. I mean, he's clearly talented, but he's also really smart, and he's the difference maker for Miami. I mean, it was a talking point last week, and it, you know, continues to be I think proven week in and week out that the reason Miami this year is able to you know, seemingly have taken a big step forward is because they've not only got better quarterback play than they've had in a while, and they've got a really, really good quarterback

and that came up. I remember discussing this. It might have been a few years ago. Yeah. In fact, if you remember Tyler van Dijk, I believe that was his name. He was the quarterback who as a red shirt freshman I think it was, he became their starter and he started bawling out and he looked like he was the future, only to you know, kind of fall off, fall off in a major way. In fact, I'm not even really sure, like is he still playing anywhere he is with Wisconsin?

Does he play? I believe he's hurt, right, Okay, So so the quarterback that got hurt for Wisconsin was him, I guess because I remember them having a quarterback that that got hurt earlier this year. But either way, like I remember thinking like, well, wow, maybe this is where Miami really turns the corner because this guy's really good, and you know, he ended up flaming out and was

not very good after that red shirt freshman season. And then now they've actually got a guy who's really good and he is the first ever Miami quarterback to have seven straight games with three hundred passing yards or more. I mean, he's good, really really good, and Quarterbacks make a difference.

easily slip up. It happens, because obviously teams like Cal and Virginia Tech right now feel like they should still.

I mean, they probably feel like they should be that they should have won those games, and you could certainly argue that, but I also think cam Ward again, that's why last week, like I wasn't really running a whole lot with the Miami being vulnerable thing, because yes they were, and it was proven in two straight games that they are beatable because it could have easily gone the other way. But I honestly looked at that as more of like a strength because they were battle tested in a way

to where their backs were against the wall. And they found a way to win, and I feel like cam Ward is was a huge, a huge part of that. So, yeah, they've got coming up. They will play let's see, They've got Florida State this Saturday, which you know used to be a big game now not as much. Then they play Duke, then they play Georgia Tech Wake Forest, and they finish the season against Syracuse. So obviously they could they could slip up and get upset, but they'll be

favorites in all those games. And I won't be shocked if they were on the table because they're you know, they're that good. And it really doesn't you know, it doesn't matter for Louisville at this point. I mean, there's really no conversation that needs to be had when it comes to like ACC championship anything like that. And that's not to say that you know, the season's over. Why

are we even playing any more games? But you know, you have two losses, and if you end up somehow in a tie with other teams that have two losses, I have a feeling that it could be teams that just beat you, like SEMU and Miami maybe potentially, although I doubt they lose too. But it could happen. So this question comes in on the text line. It says Nick, if Louisville wins out, they will have eliminated two big streaks lost, losing streaks to Clemson and losing streaks to Kentucky.

Would that make up for the losses at this point? Look, if they went out, they'd finish the season nine to three, and I would say that's a good year. I mean, and that could certainly happen. It's possible. It's not like there's anybody left on the schedule that I'm looking at and thinking to myself, well, there's just no way Louisville beats them. It's not that at all. It's just expecting them to eliminate a component of their identity after seven

games is just not normal. Like that doesn't usually happen. So, you know, they if they somehow went out, that'd be awesome, And it's it's possible. I just can't like run with it that I believe and expect that that's going to happen. Although Clemson for what it's worthy, and they're playing really good football. They're dominating everybody they're playing, But it is worth mentioning that like they they haven't. I mean, they

haven't played anybody. Like the only win that Clemson has against the team with a winning record is Virginia, who's four and three and a team that not many are claiming is very good. So you know, I'm not saying Louisville is better than them, But Clemson is six and one with only one win against a team that has a winning record, and yet there's somehow still ranked ahead

of undefeated Iowa State BYU in Indiana. And I know they lost to Georgia about thirty one, and george is now viewed as maybe the best team in the country because of what they went in and did at Texas. But like you know, Clemson, trust me, I'm not looking at that game right now as a win for Louisville. But I think their performance, although it is impressive, and all you can do is play who's on your schedule and they're dominating, but you should also consider who it

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Get more information they'd be happy to here for me again. The numbers five oh two, nine hundred pets all right, one hour in the books. Kind of feel like I got a little bit of that out of my system, you know, just a weekend that made me sad because you know, Louisville football. I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way. But to be fair, like I'm not I'm not telling you know. I'm just being honest, and I'm getting it out of my system. Maybe I'll have a little bit more of a pep in my

step tomorrow. But on Mondays, man, you know, when you're coming off a loss. I'm still I'm still dealing with it as best I can. But it does make me happy to know we got louis of basketball tonight. That should make me feel a lot better. And I haven't been able to say that right. In a previous world, it used to be like, oh, you feel sad about Louisville football, Well, now we get to go watch a Kenny Payne coach team. It was just torture, to be

honest with you. Now it's the opposite. So I think we'll be happy with what we see tonight at the Ump Center. But still Aweare's We've got two more hours to go right here on Sports Talk seven ninety