Starting Five02

The Starting Five02 crew goes live to dissect every inch of Louisville’s heavyweight clash against the Kansas Jayhawks. We dive straight into the film room to break down the critical positional matchups, defensive schemes, and pace battles that will decide who controls this game. From setting realistic floor-and-ceiling expectations to exposing tactical advantages and dropping our official score predictions, this is your ultimate pregame roadmap. Fire up the live chat, drop your questions, and tell us who you’ve got walking out with the win. Presented by Alumni Hall - the premier destination for officially licensed Louisville gear. Starting Five02 is powered by Alumni Hall. Use promo code **SOL1912** for 10% off your order online at alumnihall.com or in store at 4600 Shelbyville Road. Stay Connected: https://stateoflouisville.com https://tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville https://instagram.com/thestateoflouisville https://x.com/thestateoflou https://x.com/PinkSeatsPod https://x.com/startingfive02/ https://.facebook.com/StateOfLouisville Support The State of Louisville by supporting our partners! Falls City Beer Alumni Hall Ellis and Badenhausen Parlour Pizza Parkside Realty Cryo Lounge The Gridiron C.R.I.B. NFL Flag Football Kern's Korner Main Event Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502! 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 original podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond: From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage) Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage) It's 5:02 Somewhere (Louisville Interviews) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Is Boyuan Zhang Louisville's secret weapon? Jalen Paul of Hoop English Corner joins Ryan Keeling and Alan Thomas on Starting 502 to break down Zhang’s game and what he could bring to Pat Kelsey’s Cardinals. We discuss his shooting confidence, playmaking, three-level scoring, and the defensive work that could help him earn minutes. Plus, Jalen shares the perspective of Chinese fans following Boyuan’s journey and explains how Hoop English Corner connects basketball, English, and Louisville’s growing international following. Follow Jalen Paul on Instagram: @hoopenglishcorner YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/dmwhJZjliw0 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thestateoflou 🔴 Subscribe to State of Louisville for more Louisville basketball coverage and Starting Five02. Starting Five02 is powered by Alumni Hall. Use promo code **SOL1912** for 10% off your order online at alumnihall.com or in store at 4600 Shelbyville Road. Stay Connected: https://stateoflouisville.com https://tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville https://instagram.com/thestateoflouisville https://x.com/thestateoflou https://x.com/PinkSeatsPod https://x.com/startingfive02/ https://.facebook.com/StateOfLouisville Support The State of Louisville by supporting our partners! Falls City Beer Alumni Hall Ellis and Badenhausen Parlour Pizza Parkside Realty Cryo Lounge The Gridiron C.R.I.B. NFL Flag Football Kern's Korner Main Event Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502! 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 original podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond: From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage) Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage) It's 5:02 Somewhere (Louisville Interviews) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The NCAA called Pat Kelsey to the stand. They might have picked the wrong guy. With the entire Louisville basketball team watching from a packed courtroom, Pat Kelsey testified in the ongoing eligibility battle involving Seth Trimble and LJ Wells. And with the season just around the corner, the timing couldn't have been more dramatic. Ryan Keeling and Alan Thomas take a break from the Starting Five02 Player Preview series to unpack a wild couple of weeks in Louisville basketball. We dive into Kelsey's courtroom testimony, the NCAA's increasingly aggressive legal battles, and a bigger question: **How much is the NCAA spending to fight college athletes in court, and who is ultimately footing the bill?** Plus, there's plenty of actual basketball to discuss: - ACC Media Day takeaways and Pat Kelsey's approach to preparing this team for March - Louisville's preseason ACC ranking and expectations for the conference - Flory Bidunga and Jackson Shelstad earning preseason All-ACC honors - Karter Knox's confidence heading into the Kentucky rivalry - The latest developments on the recruiting trail - What we're looking forward to as Louisville prepares to take the floor against Kansas The season hasn't even started, and Pat Kelsey has already given Louisville fans a moment they won't soon forget. **End the chaos. Let them play.** StartingFive02 is now presented by Alumni Hall! StartingFive02 is powered by Alumni Hall. Use promo code **SOL1912** for 10% off your order online at https://www.alumnihall.com/ or in store at 4600 Shelbyville Road. Stay Connected: https://stateoflouisville.com https://tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville https://x.com/thestateoflou https://x.com/PinkSeatsPod https://x.com/startingfive02/ https://.facebook.com/StateOfLouisville Support The State of Louisville by supporting our partners! Falls City Beer Alumni Hall Ellis and Badenhausen Parlour Pizza Parkside Realty Cryo Lounge The Gridiron C.R.I.B. NFL Flag Football Kern's Korner Main Event Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502! 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 original podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond: From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage) Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage) It's 5:02 Somewhere (Louisville Interviews) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

For the first time in our 2026–27 Louisville Basketball Player Profiles series, we're breaking down a player with the player himself joining us. Louisville guard Will Hanke joins Jacob Lane, Alan Thomas, and Ryan Keeling for one of our favorite Starting Five02 conversations yet. A lifelong Louisville fan and one of just two returning players on Pat Kelsey's roster, Hanke offers a unique perspective on the program, the locker room, and what makes this year's team special. We discuss: - Will's role in rebuilding the roster, including his perfect 9-for-9 record at recruiting dinners - Why Pat Kelsey called him the "connector of all connectors" - The relationships and chemistry developing behind the scenes - What John Andrzejek is bringing to Louisville's defensive identity - Why offensive rebounding and defensive field goal percentage were priorities in roster construction - Will's development, leadership, and hopes of earning more minutes - His Behind the Grind podcast and ambitions in sports media - What it means to represent Louisville as someone who grew up cheering for the Cardinals Plus, homemade cookies, Deshayne Montgomery's dunking habits, and plenty of laughs along the way. Huge thanks to Will @The_BTG_Podcast for joining us and giving Louisville fans a look behind the curtain. **Starting Five02 | Player Profiles | Episode 07** Full YouTube Episode: https://youtu.be/nbZhEoidyQk YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thestateoflou StartingFive02 is now presented by Alumni Hall! StartingFive02 is powered by Alumni Hall. Use promo code **SOL1912** for 10% off your order online at https://www.alumnihall.com/ or in store at 4600 Shelbyville Road. Stay Connected: https://stateoflouisville.com https://tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville https://x.com/thestateoflou https://x.com/PinkSeatsPod https://x.com/startingfive02/ https://.facebook.com/StateOfLouisville Support The State of Louisville by supporting our partners! Alumni Hall Ellis and Badenhausen Parlour Pizza Parkside Realty Cryo Lounge The Gridiron C.R.I.B. NFL Flag Football Kern's Korner Main Event Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502! 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 original podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond: From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage) Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage) It's 5:02 Somewhere (Louisville Interviews) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Is Alvaro Folgueiras the most underrated player on Louisville's 2026–27 roster? On this episode of Starting Five02, Presented by Alumni Hall, hosts Jacob Lane, Alan Thomas, and Ryan Keeling break down the Iowa transfer and what he brings to Pat Kelsey's Louisville Cardinals. After helping Iowa make a memorable NCAA Tournament run, including a game-winning shot against Florida, Folgueiras arrives at Louisville with an intriguing combination of size, shooting, passing, and versatility. Could the 6'10" Spaniard be the piece that takes Louisville's ceiling to another level? We discuss: - Why Folgueiras might be the ideal stretch four for Pat Kelsey's system - How his passing and floor spacing could unlock Flory Bidunga - Whether playing power forward will help his defensive limitations - The importance of consistent minutes and an expanded offensive role - Why Folgueiras could be Louisville's biggest wild card this season StartingFive02 is now presented by Alumni Hall! StartingFive02 is powered by Alumni Hall. Use promo code **SOL1912** for 10% off your order online at https://www.alumnihall.com/ or in store at 4600 Shelbyville Road. Stay Connected: https://stateoflouisville.com https://tiktok.com/@stateoflouisville https://www.instagram.com/thestateoflouisville https://x.com/thestateoflou https://x.com/PinkSeatsPod https://x.com/startingfive02/ https://.facebook.com/StateOfLouisville Support The State of Louisville by supporting our partners! Alumni Hall Ellis and Badenhausen Parlour Pizza Parkside Realty Cryo Lounge The Gridiron C.R.I.B. NFL Flag Football Kern's Korner Main Event Tune in to stay connected to the pulse of the city and all things 502! 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 original podcasts covering University of Louisville sports and beyond: From The Pink Seats (Louisville Football Coverage) Starting Five02 (Louisville Basketball Coverage) It's 5:02 Somewhere (Louisville Interviews) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy