Starting Five02

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

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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

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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

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Stay Connected:

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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

Louisville is making moves! Pres and Jake break down Louisville's huge get in the transfer portal: 5-star Adrian Wooley. They analyze Wooley’s scoring ability, his fit alongside Mikel Brown, and which other transfers, like Isaac McKneely, could be next for the Cards.

0:00 – Breaking: Adrian Wooley Commits to The ‘Ville

4:19 – Wooley’s Fit & Louisville's Backcourt

7:24 – The Recruiting Battle for Wooley

9:10 – Isaac McKneely: The Ideal Fit?

11:12 – McKneely’s Versatility & Potential Lineup

16:47 – Wooley’s Impressive Mentality

18:50 – Lamar Wilkerson: Another Shooter on the Radar

23:37 – The Excitement & Momentum of the Class

27:59 – Final Thoughts

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #502

–

Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisville.com/

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

Your Starting Five02 crew is back to break down Louisville’s incredible season, despite last week’s heartbreaking loss to Creighton. They dive into the impact of injuries, the controversial NCAA seeding, discuss key player losses, and identify the crucial additions needed in the transfer portal for a stronger future.

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

0:30 – Intro and Season Overview

06:31 – Impact of Injuries

11:33 – Creighton Loss Breakdown

24:42 – NCAA Seeding Controversy

40:06 – Looking Ahead: Roster Needs

50:29 – Team Weaknesses

58:29 – Potential Portal Targets

1:15:30 – Final Thoughts

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #502

–

Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisville.com/

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

The Starting Five02 crew is back with a full ACC Tournament preview, breaking down Louisville’s path, key matchups, and what’s at stake for the Cards. Jake and Jacob discuss the biggest threats in the bracket, how Louisville stacks up against top competition, and what they need to do to make a deep run.

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

0:10 – Intro & ACC Tournament Overview

9:48 – Who’s the Biggest Threat to Louisville?

10:30 – Best & Worst Matchups for the Cards

21:41 – NCAA Tournament Seeding Implications

26:28 – 3 Things to be Confident About Going into the Tournament

28:40 – Dangerous Mid-Major Teams

29:05 – Final Thoughts; What We’re Most Excited About Going into Selection Sunday

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #502

–

Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisville.com/

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)

Push Push (F1 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

The Starting Five02 crew is back, breaking down Louisville’s dominant road win over Notre Dame and what it means for their NCAA tournament seeding. We dive into the upcoming matchup against Florida State, key players that have stepped up during the last couple of games, and discuss the key factors that could push Louisville into a top seed.

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

0:01 – Intro

1:09 – Aly Khalifa’s insane transformation

3:01 – Breaking down the Notre Dame win

5:11 – “They don’t really have enough depth of talent to beat us.”

10:37 – Traore and Hadley 9-0 run set the tone for The Cards

11:52 – Previewing Louisville’s final games

16:42 – Florida State rematch: What to expect

21:18 – “No one on that team really does anything against us offensively…”

25:52 – Can Louisville run the table? ACC seeding talk

31:30 – Final thoughts

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #502

–

Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisville.com/

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)

Push Push (F1 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

The Starting 502 crew is back, breaking down Louisville's incredible road win streak, discussing the potential of new commit Sananda Fru, and previewing the upcoming matchup against Notre Dame. We go over Edwards' dominating performances in recent matchups, Hepburn's return, and stats making up The Cards’ 11 game road streak.

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

0:24 – Intro

1:59 – Khani, Frank, Kader playing time

4:33 – Louisville's offensive explosion

5:46 – Dominating on the road

7:55 – Rain Smith's amazing season

11:08 – Chuckie Hepburn's return

12:29 – Terrence Edwards emerging as a star

16:54 – Edwards' transformation

19:16 – NCAA tournament seeding talk

21:55 – Notre Dame preview

28:49 – Sananda Fru scouting report

44:34 – Special guest?

#LouisvilleBasketball #GoCards #502

–

Stay Connected:

https://stateoflouisvi...

  / 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)

Push Push (F1 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