Starting Five02

The Ville assembled one of the most talented TBT squads ever, with 8 NBA vets, hometown heroes, a passionate crowd, and still lost in the 2nd round. Pres and Alan break down what went wrong in the surprising TBT loss, along with a deep dive into why the Cards’ frontcourt in 2025 might be scarier than you think…

CHAPTERS

1:59 TBT Tournament Recap

3:59 The Rise of TBT and Louisville's Involvement

6:07 Challenges and Reflections on TBT Performance

13:52 Roster Dynamics and Future Prospects

22:13 Analyzing the Roster: Past and Present

23:00 Montrezl Harrell's Evolution

24:17 Reflections on TBT and Future Strategies

24:57 Building a Stronger Team: Roster Construction

28:01 Current Roster and Future Prospects

43:47 Excitement for the Upcoming Season

Learn more about the Happiness Experiment!

https://go.happinessexperiment.com/begin-aff-o2?am_id=podcast2025&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=michael

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #502 #UofL

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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 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)

It’s 5:02 Somewhere (Highlighting Louisville Legends)

“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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Former Louisville Cardinal and NBA player David Johnson joins Jacob Lane ahead of his 2nd Annual Camp DJ! talking about the importance of giving back to the town that raised him. Dive into his pro journey through the NBA, G-League, and now the NBL before previewing The Ville’s return to the TBT.

If you have a kid in grades 3-8 and you're interested in signing them up for Camp DJ - you can do so here! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/camp-dj-2025-tickets-1441850115509

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #502 #UofL 

–

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)

It’s 5:02 Somewhere (Highlighting Louisville Legends)

“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

The Starting Five02 Crew returns with a loaded episode breaking down Louisville's star-studded TBT roster—including seven former NBA players like Montrezl Harrell, David Johnson, and more. Presley Meyer and Jacob Lane give you the full rundown of The Ville’s lineup, chemistry, expectations, and what it will take to bring a TBT title home to Louisville.

Then, we’re joined by one of the biggest names in college basketball media—Joe Tipton (On3 Sports)—for a can’t-miss conversation.

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #502 #UofL

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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)

It’s 5:02 Somewhere (Highlighting Louisville Legends)

“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 a MAJOR boost, Aly Khalifa is CLEARED and ready to suit up. Pres and Alan break down what this means for Louisville’s frontcourt, why this changes the ACC landscape, and how the Cards are gearing up for a vengeance tour against heavy hitters like Baylor and Arkansas. Plus, we unpack the raw emotion behind Pat Kelsey’s reveal to the team and dive into the firepower Louisville’s bringing into a loaded non-conference schedule. This is not the same Louisville squad, this is 25 Strong.

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #502 #UofL 

–

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)

It’s 5:02 Somewhere (Conversations with Louisville Legends)

“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

The Starting 502 Podcast is back and better than ever! Presley and Alan break down Trey Moses’ celebrity charity game, dish on the real MVP, and dive DEEP into why Mikel Brown Jr. might be Louisville’s most impactful freshman in years. We’re talking elite guard play, McKneely vs. Conwell, Sananda Fru’s rise, and how this roster stacks up heading into the season. You won’t want to miss this episode!

1:00 - Recapping Trey Moses’ Celebrity Game

3:30 - MVP Debate

5:00 - Spotlight on Peyton Siva & Louisville Legends

6:45 - Why Mikel Brown Jr. Is the Real Deal

10:30 - Looking Ahead to Louisville vs. Kansas

12:00 - Who Leads This Guard-Heavy Roster?

14:20 - Isaac McKneely vs. Ryan Conwell Deep Dive

18:30 - The Most Slept-On Player: Sananda Fru

22:00 - Aly Khalifa Eligibility Concerns

28:00 - “Full Court Press” Trivia Showdown

39:00 - What’s Next + Where to Follow

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #502 #UofL

–

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)

It’s 5:02 Somewhere (Conversations with Louisville Legends)

“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

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:

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 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  

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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 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