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A team photo of the 2024-25 Louisville basketball team has the Cardinals looking like a completely unserious program in Year 1 of the Pat Kelsey era. The JV vibes are high with this one.
The picture is currently making the rounds on social media, resulting in followers making an absolute mockery of the Cardinals in the offseason.
Kelsey is looking to turn a once proud program around following a largely forgettable Kenny Payne stint. Over the last two years, the team is a combined 12-52, which included a dismal 5-35 mark in ACC play.
Meanwhile, Kelsey enjoyed a remarkable 58-12 run with the College of Charleston across that timeframe, making a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and nearly knocking off national runner-up San Diego State in 2023.
The new head coach has done his best to replace what was a barren roster with an influx of talent. He took some big swings in the transfer portal after swiping NIL funds from archrival Kentucky.
Kelsey brought in 12 new transfers in hopes of a quick turnaround. He also signed Top 40 high school forward Khani Rooths. He’s trying to scrub Louisville’s recent failures from memory and build the Cardinals into a contender.
If the latest Louisville basketball team photo is any indication, he has his work cut out for him!
X (@Matt_McGavic)
One player’s eyes are closed. No one but Pat Kelsey is smiling. Two players have the same number. One player is in a different uniform altogether. The Cardinals just look sad!
It’s as if they tried to make it bad, and they’re getting cooked for it online!
“This could be the worst college basketball team photo I’ve ever seen.”
“I never thought it was possible to find a sadder photo than my high school football team, but here it is.”
“They look like they’re being held hostage.”
“Unserious program with these pics.”
“What in the Bad News Bears?”
The Louisville basketball team is hoping to be taken seriously this season. They want to wipe away the ridicule that’s followed over the last few years.
They’re not off to a great start!
Louisville responded by posting its *actual* team photo a few hours later.
The actual 2024-25 Louisville Men’s Basketball Team Photo #GoCards pic.twitter.com/LABZROnPOo
— Louisville Men’s Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) October 16, 2024
It seems the Cardinals caught wind of the initial viral photo and set the narrative straight!
Still, the original will live on forever, and it’s sure to reappear at the first sign of struggle in the 2024-25 season.