Louisville’s offseason overhaul already has Cardinals fans buzzing, but one recent clip of Flory Bidunga might be the most unsettling thing the rest of college basketball has seen.
Pat Kelsey came out of the transfer portal swinging, landing seven transfers and piecing together one of the nation’s best classes. The group includes UNC transfer Seth Trimble, whose eligibility is still waiting to be confirmed, along with former 5-star recruits Jackson Shelstad and Arkansas transfer Karter Knox. But the headliner is Bidunga, the 5-star transfer from Kansas who arrives with a reputation as one of the best rim protectors in the sport.
That’s the part everybody already knew. What Louisville keeps hinting at now is something more dangerous.
A recent video posted by the Cardinals’ social media team showed Bidunga handling the ball at the top of the key, pulling off a nasty crossover, taking one dribble into the lane and throwing down a huge dunk over two defenders. It was the kind of clip that makes you stop and run it back.
😤😤😤 Tough to stop that. #GoCards x @FBidunga pic.twitter.com/C0aRxbpc4R
- Louisville Men's Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) October 10, 2026
That’s a big deal because Bidunga’s offensive role last season was mostly straightforward: lob finishes and offensive rebounds. Now, Kelsey appears intent on stretching that game out.
He made that point clear when he said, “We believe there is another level to his game offensively that we're ready to unlock when he steps on campus. He is a true, two-way impactful player that we believe is only scratching the surface of his potential.”
Bidunga’s production at Kansas backed up the talent. He averaged 13.3 points and 9.0 rebounds last year and earned All-Big 12 First-Team honors. He also finished with 90 blocks and averaged 2.6 blocks per game, reinforcing why he’s so highly regarded on the defensive end.
But the latest look at his offensive game suggests Louisville may have more than just an elite paint defender on its hands. If Bidunga is becoming a real scoring threat away from the rim, that changes the shape of this Cardinals team in a hurry.
In Other News...
Louisvilles Turnaround Gives Jeff Brohm Fans A Reason To Believe
Louisville spent the second half looking like a different team, and that was the encouraging part of a game that began with plenty of uneven moments. After a slow start, the Cardinals settled in on both sides of the ball, with the offense finding more rhythm and the running game becoming a real factor as multiple players reached the end zone.
Jeff Brohms decision to hand playcalling duties to the offensive coordinator added a new wrinkle to how Louisville operated, and the results were hard to miss once the game turned. The defense also answered after a critical stop, tightening up enough to keep the opponent from moving the ball the way it had early and giving the Cardinals a stretch of control they could build on. [Read more 🡒]
Louisville Fans Can Grab A New Way To Get Ready For Tipoff
University of Louisville fans looking for a little extra game-day flair can now pick up the Cardinals 2026-27 mens basketball schedule poster for free at more than 40 Kroger locations in Louisville and Southern Indiana, while supplies last. The posters are also being handed out at home games, giving supporters another easy way to get ready for the season before the first tip.
There is plenty to circle on the calendar already, starting with an exhibition game at Kansas on Oct. 21 and a home exhibition against Mercyhurst on Oct. 28. Louisville then opens the official season against Chattanooga on Nov. 2, giving fans a quick preview of what the new year could look like before the real schedule gets rolling. [Read more 🡒]
Karter Knox Is Already Fueling Louisvilles Kentucky Confidence
Louisvilles roster overhaul has already given Pat Kelsey plenty to sort through as he gets ready for the 2026-27 season, and the first real checkpoint comes Oct. 21 with an exhibition against Kansas. The Cardinals have brought in eight transfers, including a few names that should help raise the ceiling right away, with Flory Bidunga, Jackson Shelstad and Karter Knox standing out among the additions.
Knox, in particular, has added an edge to the conversation around the rivalry with Kentucky. With his brother Kevin Knox II having played for the Wildcats, he has already signaled plenty of confidence that Louisville can change its recent fortunes in the series and snap an eight-game road losing streak, a familiar burden that still hangs over the matchup. For a team trying to establish a new identity under Kelsey, that kind of early belief matters almost as much as the talent itself. [Read more 🡒]