CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WDRB) — Louisville men’s basketball enters the ACC Tipoff with expectations unlike any in recent years — a returning core, veteran transfers, and a coach who has leaned into high-profile matchups like a man trying to sharpen steel with fire. But with those expectations come questions.

As Louisville prepares to meet the media on Wednesday morning in uptown Charlotte, here are five questions:

1. How ready is Mikel Brown to run the show?

Freshman point guard Mikel Brown arrives as one of the most touted newcomers in college basketball, but Kelsey isn’t crowning him yet.

“He’s got old dudes around him,” Kelsey said. “That gives him some cushion.”

The Louisville staff will ask Brown to steer a team with ACC title aspirations. The mental reps he gained playing for Team USA are a good start. Now, the game gets real.

2. Can the Cards make depth their strength — and keep everyone happy?

This team may be deeper than last year’s — which is saying something.

Ryan Conwell, Isaac McKneely, Adrian “Ace” Wooley and Kobe Rogers all bring starting-caliber guard skills.

Ali Khalifa and Kasean Pryor bolster a skilled frontcourt.

“Depth has to be a weapon,” Kelsey said.

But in an era of ego and opportunity, managing minutes will matter just as much as making shots.

3. Will Khalifa and Fru give U of L a different kind of dominance?

Kelsey calls Khalifa “one of the top five passing bigs in the world.” That’s not hyperbole. Mikel Brown compared him to Nilkola Jokic. That might be hyperbole.

Either way, the 7-footer changes how Louisville can run offense. Add in German pro import Sananda Fru (6-11, 7-4 wingspan), and the Cards have not only size, but serious skill. 

Expect Louisville to play through the post — just not in a way much of college basketball is used to seeing. Cardinals’ fans got a taste last season in James Scott. This year, it could get the main course.

4. Is Louisville ready for “the smoke”?

Tough scheduling is one thing. And then there’s Louisville’s non-conference schedule this season.

In the non-conference: Kansas (exhibition), Kentucky, Indiana, Memphis, Cincinnati, Arkansas, Tennessee, Baylor.

“We didn’t duck the smoke,” Kelsey said. “You can’t sharpen your teeth eating oatmeal.”

Will all that forge toughness, or frustration?

5. What does success look like — really — in Year 2?

The Field of 68 ranked Louisville No. 6 in its recent preseason projections. The Final Four talk is already out there.

“Somebody told me they booked a hotel,” Kelsey said.

But the coach is staying planted.

“We stack good days,” he said. “That’s it.”

Louisville was an 8-seed last season. Kelsey says the goal is to position better this time. That means handling hype, fighting for an ACC title, and building a seed line worthy of this roster's ceiling.

Everything gets rolling in Charlotte Wednesday morning. Follow coverage online and on WDRB News throughout the day.

Kelsey, Conwell and J’Vonne Hadley are scheduled to meet the media at 9:15 a.m., with the press conference available on the ACC Network. 

Quick Sips

LOUISVILLE KINGS: Louisville is jumping into the pro football business. The UFL announced that it will bring a team to Lynn Family Stadium next season. The Louisville Kings will begin play in the spring. League co-owner Mike Repole, Louisville mayor Craig Greenberg and others will talk about the move Wednesday in a news conference in Louisville. Read about it here.

WOMEN AT THE MIC: Jeff Walz and the Louisville women's basketball team made the media day rounds in Charlotte on Tuesday. See what the coach and players Tajianna Roberts and Laura Ziegler had to say about the new edition of the team by clicking here.

The Last Drop

"I did not get one call, one text. I had no idea that it was actually National Coaches Day. ... You might want to put that in your calendars for next year."

-- Louisville women's coach Jeff Walz, to Roberts and Ziegler, after being told that Monday was "National Coaches' Day."

More Sports Coverage:

Older, louder, faster: Louisville women bring confidence and global mileage into new season

Louisville officially joins UFL as the Louisville Kings; Lynn Family Stadium named home venue

Mark Pope outlines defensive overhaul as Kentucky looks to lock down

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