Louisville opened the season in control and never really let Chattanooga breathe, rolling to an 84-70 win while spending more than 36 minutes with a double-digit cushion.
The Cardinals got balanced production across the board, with all five starters finishing in double figures and the team shooting 45 percent from the floor. Preseason All-American big man Flory Bidunga set the tone with 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals. Adrian Wooley followed with 15 points and four steals, while Jackson Shelstad added 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
For a while, it looked like Louisville was headed for a clean, sharp opener. The Cards carried a 21-point lead into halftime and had complete command of the game. But the second half gave Pat Kelsey plenty of teaching tape.
Louisville’s edge in energy and execution faded after the break, and Chattanooga - picked to finish in the Southern Conference - took advantage by outscoring the Cardinals 35-28 over the final 20 minutes. Louisville also gave the ball away seven times in the second half, part of 10 turnovers overall, and the outside shot went cold in a hurry. The Cards made just 1 of 16 from 3-point range as UTC packed in its defense and challenged Louisville to win from deep.
Even with the uneven finish, the result kept Louisville’s strong opening-night run rolling. The Cardinals won their 22nd season opener in the last 23 tries and moved to 3-0 in season openers under Kelsey.
There was plenty to like, and plenty to clean up, before Saturday’s game with Morehead State.
In Other News...
Louisvilles Opening Win Still Left Fans With One Big Concern
Louisvilles season-opening win over Chattanooga had plenty to like, especially in the first half when the Cardinals came out sharp, shot efficiently and built a comfortable lead. Five players reached double figures, a sign of balance that should matter as the schedule tightens, and the 84-70 final gave Kenny Paynes team a clean result to start with.
Still, the second half left a familiar kind of unease for a fan base that wants more than just a win in November. Louisvilles offense cooled off, the shots stopped falling and a few late misses kept the game from feeling as comfortable as it once did, while 10 turnovers added to the uneven stretch. The opener showed the Cardinals can score in waves, but it also hinted at the kind of offensive lapses that can linger if they are not cleaned up quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Louisville Just Lost An Early Rotation Piece Pat Kelsey Needed
Louisvilles preseason plans took a hit when transfer guard DeShayne Montgomery was ruled out for 4-6 weeks with a foot injury, putting his debut for the 2026-27 season on hold. The 4-star transfer from Dayton had already flashed well in exhibition play, which made him look like a real early rotation option for Pat Kelseys group and a potential spark off the bench.
Now the Cardinals have to reshuffle before the season even gets going, and Kelsey is leaning into the next-man-up mentality as the staff sorts through the backcourt and wing minutes Montgomery was expected to help fill. It is an untimely setback for a player Louisville was counting on to add depth and versatility, and it leaves the staff with one less proven piece while it waits for him to get back on the floor. [Read more 🡒]
Louisville 4-Star Commit Just Added To Jeff Brohms Recruiting Hype
Louisvilles latest win over Stanford gave Jeff Brohm another chance to point to the kind of explosive offense he wants his program to be known for, with Isaac Browns 75-yard rushing touchdown serving as one of the biggest highlights of the afternoon. It also came at a good time for the Cardinals on the recruiting front, because one of their most important commitments keeps piling up attention of his own.
JaHyde Brown, the 4-star wide receiver pledged to Louisville, just set a new state record with 31 receiving touchdowns in a season, topping the old mark of 30. The production has helped send him climbing in the national recruiting rankings, giving Louisville another reason to feel encouraged about the talent it has lined up for the future. [Read more 🡒]