LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Pat Kelsey stepped away from basketball Tuesday morning to visit the Churchill Downs backside — but his mind never strayed far from the court.
Between conversations about horse pedigrees and training schedules at the barn of veteran trainer Ken McPeek, the Louisville men's basketball head coach acknowledged what fans are wondering: Is he still shopping for roster help?
“You’re always looking for ways to improve,” he said. “Everything’s still on the table.”
Want more details? Forget it. “I could tell you,” Kelsey said. “But then I’d have to kill you.”
Kelsey made the rounds at Churchill with his family and got an unexpected crash course in Thoroughbred Racing 101 — including a scouting report on the young colt in McPeek’s stable named “Kelz,” after the coach.
“He’s just a freshman,” Kelsey said. “. . . If it's anything like this head coach, it's not the best-looking thoroughbred in the world, but we'll see how it progresses.”
As for the Kentucky Derby? Kelsey wasn’t ready to name a favorite, but he used a little racing lingo to describe how eager he is to get going with his second season at Louisville.
“I’m chomping at the bit,” he said.
Portal Exit: James Scott’s Departure
Kelsey has a strong mix of returnees and newcomers, with 10 confirmed scholarship players already in the fold. But he did lose one solid piece when 6'11" rising junior James Scott entered the transfer portal at the 11th hour.
Kelsey didn’t elaborate on that decision, or any recent communications they’ve had.
“In today’s day and age, you just don’t take things like that personal,” Kelsey said. “He’s a phenomenal young man, from a phenomenal family, and I wish him nothing but the best. . . . He knows I love him. He knows I’m there for him.”
Where the Roster Stands
Kelsey brings back three from last year’s rotation — J’Vonne Hadley, Khani Rooths and Kasean Pryor, who was sidelined early with injury but had an important role when healthy. He also brings back two players who spent the whole season in Louisville rehabbing from injuries, center Aly Khalifa and point guard Kobe Rodgers.
To that group, he adds five newcomers. Mikel Brown is a five-star point guard who is among the top-ranked players in his high school class. Adrian Wooley (Kennesaw State), Ryan Conwell (Xavier) and Isaac McKneely (Virginia) are experienced transfers who combined to hit 273 threes last season. And 6'11", 250-pound forward Sananda Fru is a versatile big man who has been playing in the German Bundesliga.
Given all that, Kelsey doesn’t need a lot.
“We love, love, love our roster,” Kelsey said. “So excited how it came together. We think we have a chance to be special next year.”
If the team moved forward with the roster it has, it would be an ACC contender. It also might leave itself a bit vulnerable if injury hit – as it did last season. So the staff’s coaching antennae remain up.
“I think we did a phenomenal job in the portal,” Kelsey said. “We're so darn excited about the incoming freshman, as well. And you mix them together with some grizzled veterans that know our system like the back of their hand, I think it's a phenomenal mix. We have about a month or so before they all get on campus.”
The only question now? How many will be in the starting gate when it’s go time.
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Kentucky Derby Notebook: Japanese horses work, Journalism jogs, Sandman settles
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