LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The exhibition label doesn’t dampen the stakes Friday night as No. 11 Louisville hosts No. 19 Kansas in a nationally televised, top-20 preseason clash that promises real intensity — and a first look at two heavily retooled rosters.
Louisville, in its second season under Pat Kelsey, returns just one starter from last year’s 27-8 breakout. The Cardinals will roll out 10 newcomers, including ACC preseason honorees Ryan Conwell and Mikel Brown Jr., as well as redshirt returnees Kobe Rodgers and Aly Khalifa, who missed last season with injuries
Kelsey hasn’t revealed who will start for the Cardinals. Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely and Kennesaw State import Adrian Wooley are expected to make an immediate impact. Returnee J’Vonne Hadley will be a fixture in the lineup, along with sophomore Khani Rooths. German addition Sanandra Fru is set to make an anticipated debut.
Kansas, meanwhile, is essentially brand new. After a 21-13 finish and a first-round NCAA exit, Hall of Fame coach Bill Self reloaded through both the portal and the prep ranks — most notably with Darryn Peterson, the nation’s No. 1 freshman and preseason Big 12 Freshman of the Year. He headlines a top-tier rookie class that includes 6-foot-6 guard Kohl Rosario, who was a surprise inclusion in KU’s starting five for this game, per Self. Rosario leapfrogged more experienced options like Elmarko Jackson and Jayden Dawson to claim that nod.
Joining Peterson and Rosario in the Jayhawks' starting lineup will be: Tre White, a senior guard who previously played for Louisville and Illinois; Melvin Council Jr., a 14.5 ppg scorer from St. Bonaventure; Flory Bidunga, the only Jayhawk who logged minutes for Kansas last season and expected anchor in the post
Both coaches have said they’ll rotate freely and experiment with lineups, but don’t expect the competitive fire to simmer. Said Kelsey: “If (son) Johnny came down the steps and said, ‘Dad, let’s play checkers,’ I’m trying to beat that sucker. I can’t help it.”
The crowd should be raucous. The pace should be fast. And for a game that doesn’t technically count, there should be plenty to learn — especially about two teams with high ceilings and a long list of questions.
HOW TO WATCH: Louisville vs. Kansas (exhibition)
- Date: Friday, Oct. 24, 2025
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: KFC Yum! Center (22,090), Louisville, Ky.
- TV: ACC Network (Dave O'Brien, Seth Greenberg)
- Radio: Cardinal Sports Network (Paul Rogers, Bob Valvano)
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