As Louisville basketball enters the home stretch of its season, the Cardinals are starting to show signs of life. With nine games left on the regular-season slate, there’s a sense that this team might be finding its identity - and it’s not just the stars leading the way.
We know what Mikel Brown Jr. and Ryan Conwell bring to the table. Their consistency has been the backbone of Louisville’s recent surge.
But if this team is going to make any real noise down the stretch, it’s the supporting cast that’s going to have to keep rising to the occasion. And over the last few games - especially in wins over Virginia Tech, SMU, and Notre Dame - a few unexpected names have started to play some of their best basketball of the season.
Let’s take a closer look at three under-the-radar contributors who are helping Pat Kelsey’s squad turn the corner.
3. Vangelis Zougris - The Grit Guy
Vangelis Zougris isn’t going to light up the box score, and that’s not what Louisville needs from him. What they do need is exactly what he’s been bringing: toughness, effort, and a willingness to do the dirty work.
Zougris came into the season as a depth piece - someone who could give you a few physical minutes, grab a couple rebounds, and bring some edge off the bench. And while his averages (2.0 points, 2.7 rebounds) won’t catch anyone’s eye, his impact goes beyond the numbers.
Since the calendar flipped to January, Zougris has carved out a niche as a high-energy forward who plays bigger than his size. He’s not afraid to bang down low, dive for loose balls, or throw his body into a screen to free up a shooter. It’s the kind of gritty, unselfish play that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet but makes a real difference during a game’s turning points.
For a team trying to build momentum and establish a hard-nosed identity under Kelsey, Zougris is the kind of role player who helps set that tone.
2. Kasean Pryor - A Comeback in Progress
Kasean Pryor’s journey this season has been all about rediscovery. After a season-ending injury derailed his campaign last year before it even really began, Pryor has spent most of this season trying to work his way back to full form. And now, it looks like he might finally be rounding that corner.
His performance against Notre Dame - 10 points, 5 rebounds, an assist, and a steal - was easily his best outing of the year, and it wasn’t just the numbers. Pryor looked confident.
He looked comfortable. He looked like a player who’s starting to remember what he’s capable of.
At 6-foot-10 with a versatile skill set, Pryor has always had the tools to be a difference-maker. What he’s lacked this season is rhythm - understandable, given the long layoff. But if Wednesday’s performance is a sign of things to come, Louisville may be getting a key piece back at just the right time.
Pryor doesn’t need to be a star. He just needs to be steady - someone who can give the Cardinals length, rebounding, and a little scoring punch off the bench. If he can stay healthy and keep building on that Notre Dame game, he could be a real X-factor down the stretch.
1. Khani Rooths - The Breakout is Real
If you’re looking for the biggest revelation on this Louisville roster over the past few weeks, look no further than Khani Rooths.
After missing time due to illness, Rooths returned to the lineup against SMU - and he didn’t waste any time making his presence felt. He posted back-to-back double-doubles: 12 points and 10 rebounds against SMU, then 12 and 12 against Notre Dame. But it’s not just the stats - it’s how he’s playing.
Rooths has brought a physical edge to the paint, battling for boards, contesting shots, and giving Louisville a much-needed interior presence. He’s active, aggressive, and seems to have a nose for the ball - whether it’s crashing the glass or chasing down a loose rebound.
Before his illness, Rooths was already starting to trend in the right direction. Now, he looks like a player who’s ready to take on a bigger role - and honestly, Louisville needs him to. With his size, energy, and two-way potential, Rooths is the kind of player who can change the dynamic of a game, especially in tight matchups where every possession matters.
If he keeps this up, he won’t just be one of Louisville’s most important players down the stretch - he might be one of the most impactful underclassmen in the ACC.
Looking Ahead
For Louisville to finish strong and carry momentum into March, it’s going to take more than just the usual suspects. The stars will do their part, but it’s the emergence of players like Zougris, Pryor, and Rooths that could elevate this team to another level.
These aren’t just feel-good stories - they’re real contributors stepping into real roles at a critical time. And if they keep trending upward, the Cardinals just might be a tougher out than anyone expected.