The Starting Five02 crew is back and fired up! Press and Alan dive deep into the arrival of Vangelis Zougris, the “Greek Warrior,” and what his gritty game means for Louisville basketball. They break down how the roster stacks up against last year, position battles, and who could break out.

Tune in for all the takes, stats, and analysis you need!

1:20 – Louisville Baseball’s Statement Win Over Vandy

5:30 – Meet the Greek Warrior: Vangelis Zougris

10:30 – Zougris’ Grit

13:30 – Scouting the Skillset: Trainer’s Dream?

16:00 – Where Does He Fit in the Rotation?

22:00 – Physicality Check: Can He Handle Duke & Creighton?

30:00 – Full Roster Breakdown vs. Last Year

35:00 – Is This a Top 5 Roster Now?

46:00 – Final Thoughts on Zougris & Team Potential

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #VangelisZougris

–

Stay Connected:

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–

The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city.

In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.

Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!

The State of Louisville is the home of 3 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:

From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)

Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)

3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)

“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

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Louisville just added their 10th addition to the roster, and he might be the most underrated of the bunch.

Jacob Lane and Jake Hook break down the commitment of Mouhamed Camara, a 6’7” pogo-stick forward from the NBA Academy in Africa. They dive into his highlight tape, play style, long-term upside, and how he compares to Louisville greats and recent role players.

Where does he fit in Pat Kelsey’s lineup? How do the Cards stack up in the ACC after this addition?

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards

–

Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisville.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville

https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/#

https://x.com/thestateoflou

–

The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city.

In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.

Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!

The State of Louisville is the home of 3 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:

From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)

Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)

3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)

“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jacob and Roman break down the latest in Louisville basketball roster drama, starting with the breaking news of Aly Khalifa being ruled ineligible. They unpack what went wrong, why it doesn’t make sense, and what options Louisville has now.

They break down what to make of incoming forward Vangelis Zougris, who the Cards might target next in the portal, and why playing Kentucky in November has fans talking. From eligibility chaos to international reinforcements, it's a jam-packed offseason update on Pat Kelsey's squad.

1:28 – Pat Kelsey Throws First Pitch for the Reds

1:58 – UK vs. UofL on a Tuesday…in November?

10:02 – Aly Khalifa Officially Ruled Ineligible?

11:16 – “The NCAA Decision Makes ZERO Sense.”

16:57 – “How do we decide what we need when we don’t even know what we have?”

19:00 – Louisville’s Frontcourt Needs Are Piling Up

20:12 – Vangelis Zougris Scouting Report; Montrezl Harrell Comparisons

25:50 – Can He Defend ACC Guards in Ball Screens?

26:47 – Roster Outlook Moving Forward: 6 Spots Open

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #AlyKhalifa

–

Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisville.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville

https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/#

https://x.com/thestateoflou

–

The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city.

In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.

Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!

The State of Louisville is the home of 3 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:

From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)

Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)

3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)

“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

TBT 2025 is already heating up — and the Ville is going all in.

Jacob and Alan are joined by Andrew Zoldan of Inside TBT to preview what could be Louisville’s best TBT team yet. They talk Montrezl Harrell’s comeback, Jay Scrubb’s MVP potential, and the team’s shift toward high-level non-alum additions. Plus: why Freedom Hall is one of TBT’s most iconic venues, Luke Hancock’s rise as head coach, and Andrew’s bold predictions for this summer’s tournament.

Also… Russ Smith revenge tour?

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Louisville Basketball roster is undergoing serious changes, and your Starting Five02 crew is here to break it all down. Pres and Jake dive into James Scott's departure, the impact of NIL, expectations for the new roster, and how Louisville could build a legit contender.

Who’s leaving, who’s coming, and what it means for Louisville’s future, all in this episode of Starting Five02.

1:40 – Early Portal Wins

7:10 – James Scott Entering the Portal

20:00 – Transfer Target Breakdown: Baba Miller Deep Dive

26:30 – Is Baba Miller Too Good to Be a Fit?

30:00 – How NIL and Minutes Factor into Transfer Decisions

32:00 – Transfer Target: Nana Owusu-Anane Breakdown

36:00 – What Nana Would Bring to Louisville

44:10 – Surprise Portal Target: Travis Perry?!

49:20 – Is Louisville’s Current Roster Good Enough?

52:00 – How Mikel Brown Jr. Changes Everything

54:00 – Comparing Last Year’s Roster vs. This Year’s Talent

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards

–

Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisvi...

  / stateoflouisville  

  / thestateoflouisville  

https://x.com/thestate...

–

The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city.

In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.

Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!

The State of Louisville is the home of 4 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:

From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)

Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)

3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)

“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Pres is joined by analytics expert Evan Miyakawa of EvanMiya.com to dive deep into Louisville basketball, the transfer portal, and what advanced metrics say about next season’s team.

Evan shares how he built one of the most respected analytics sites in college hoops, why Isaac McKneely could be the best shooter in America, and how Louisville is building a team that could seriously contend. Plus: the state of the ACC, roster construction secrets, and what makes winning teams in the portal era.

0:11 – Intro: Meet Evan Miyakawa and EvanMiya.com

1:55 – How Evan Turned a Passion Project Into a Powerhouse Site

3:41 – The Moment Evan Knew Coaches Were Paying Attention

5:02 – What Makes EvanMiya Different from KenPom and Others

7:16 – How Evan Projects Player Impact Beyond Stats

9:45 – How Good Is Louisville’s New Transfer Class?

12:42 – Isaac McNeely: The BEST 3-Point Shooter in America?!

16:10 – What Louisville’s Transfer Class Has in Common

18:46 – Why Ryan Conwell Could Be a Breakout Star

20:22 – J'Vonne Hadley and Kasean Pryor: Huge Returning Pieces

22:33 – Can the ACC Bounce Back This Year?

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards

–

Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisvi...

  / stateoflouisville  

  / thestateoflouisville  

https://x.com/thestate...

–

The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city.

In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.

Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!

The State of Louisville is the home of 4 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:

From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)

Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)

3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)

“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Louisville just got its final piece.

Kasean Pryor is officially returning – What does this mean for the Cards’ frontcourt? Why is Pryor so important to the offense and the identity of this team? And what does it say about Pat Kelsey’s second-year roster strategy?

We break it all down and make the case for why this might be Louisville’s most complete squad in years.

0:13 – Breaking News: Kasean Pryor Officially Returning to Louisville

1:09 – Why Pryor’s Versatility Changes Everything

2:00 – “There’s No One Like Him at 6'10”

3:22 – Shot Creation, Defense, and Pryor’s Two-Way Impact

5:34 – Pryor Was a Top-3 Player in the Country (Before Injury)

6:30 – Pryor + Hadley = Enforcers

7:49 – Keeping Pryor = Two Top-15 Portal Guys Back in the Fold

8:58 – Continuity, Culture, and Why This Is So Huge for Year 2

9:46 – Raw Reactions & Instant Impact Talk

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #KaseanPryor #PatKelsey

–

Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisville.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville

https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/#

https://x.com/thestateoflou

–

The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city.

In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.

Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!

The State of Louisville is the home of 3 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:

From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)

Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)

3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)

“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of the Starting Five02 Podcast, Roman Kelly is joined by Raashaan Myers (Wake Up 502) to break down Louisville basketball's 2025-26 roster status, portal strategy, and why the Cards might not be done adding talent just yet.

Roster analysis, positional battles, portal predictions, and why Pat Kelsey’s bag might still have some tricks left.

03:30 - Building the 2025-26 Roster

04:50 - Portal Moves So Far

09:45 - Why the Cards Aren’t Done Yet

11:30 - Fru vs. Khalifa Starting Spot Debate

13:45 - Kasean Pryor’s Fit If He Returns

16:00 - Switchable Lineups & Frontcourt Versatility

18:10 - Fru’s Potential and Defensive Concerns?

27:50 - Mikel Brown Jr.’s Two-Way Game

30:00 - Culture + Continuity: Year 2 Under Kelsey

31:15 - Can This Be a Top 10 Offense?

33:00 - Final Thoughts + What’s Still to Come

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards

–

Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisville.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville

https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/#

https://x.com/thestateoflou

–

The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city.

In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.

Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!

The State of Louisville is the home of 3 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:

From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)

Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)

3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)

“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Louisville basketball just landed some major transfer portal pickups, potentially forming the best backcourt in the country.

We’re talking versatility, three-point shooting, high IQ, and serious upside under Coach Pat Kelsey.

We’re breaking it all down from Derby City Gaming in downtown Louisville, covering roster moves, portal strategy, starting five projections, and what the Cards still need to add.

Tune in for all the stats, insights, and takes you need!

2:00 – Derby City Gaming Downtown Overview: Food, Ambiance, and March Mania Deals

7:00 – Isaac McKneely Commits to Louisville!

8:30 – Why Louisville Might Have the Best Backcourt in the Country

12:30 – McKneely vs. Other Top Guards + System Fit

22:00 – Roster Construction: Why More Guards Work in This System

24:00 – Ryan Conwell Breakdown & Portal Rankings

26:30 – Why Lefty Guards are a Problem for Defenses

31:00 – The Need for Wings: What’s Missing on the Roster

33:30 – Do the Cards Still Need a Rim Protector?

38:30 – The Frontcourt Outlook

47:00 – Is Aly Khalifa *The Guy* in the Paint?

52:00 – Shoutouts & Tools for Tracking Portal Activity

53:00 – More Derby City Gaming Details & Deals

55:00 – Final Thoughts: Excitement for the Season Ahead!

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards

–

Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisville.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville

https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/#

https://x.com/thestateoflou

–

The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city.

In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.

Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!

The State of Louisville is the home of 4 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:

From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)

Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)

3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)

“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Louisville just landed a MASSIVE pickup in the transfer portal—welcome to The Ville, Isaac McKneely.

McKneely, a 6'4" guard, is exactly what this backcourt needed. Huge things to come from The Cards this upcoming season.

1:00 – Louisville's Backcourt Becomes Elite

2:00 - McKneely's Ranking & Louisville’s Aggressive Portal Approach

3:00 - McKneely’s Decision Over Tennessee

4:00 - What McKneely Brings to the Team: Shooting & Versatility

6:00 - Comparing McKneely to Reyne Smith & His Offensive Upside

7:00 - McKneely’s Elite Three-Point Shooting & Contested Shot Stats

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #PatKelsey #IsaacMcKneely

–

Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisville.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville

https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville/#

https://x.com/thestateoflou

–

The State of Louisville is your home for comprehensive coverage of the state of our city, its hometown teams, and its unique culture. Louisville sports culture is deeply woven into what makes this city special, where a pro city feel meets a college town vibe. Delivering the best in Louisville sports, news, and everything in between, we bring unique coverage to an uncompromising city.

In a city where fans are passionate and diverse, yet united as a tight-knit community, we’re committed to providing coverage that cuts to the core of what makes Louisville unique. Whether you’re a lifelong Louisvillian or just stopping by, The State of Louisville is for anyone who appreciates the city’s rich history and fervent sports culture.

Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502!

The State of Louisville is the home of 4 podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond:

From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage)

Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage)

3rd & Central (Louisville Baseball Coverage)

“Louisville is a place with no labels. It’s not the South, it’s not Chicago, and you don’t think of it as you think of New York or LA. It has some Southern romanticism to it, but also a Northern progressivism, this weird urban island in the middle of the state of Kentucky that has always provided a fertile, often dark, bed. For us, Louisville and the surrounding areas are the center of massive creativity and massive weirdness.” –Jim James

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy