Louisville’s trip to Virginia already looked like one of the ACC’s best early measuring sticks. Then the Cardinals added Seth Trimble, and the matchup got even tighter.
The lone regular-season meeting lands at John Paul Jones Arena, where Louisville’s transfer-heavy overhaul meets a Virginia group that is bringing back most of the roster from a strong 2025-26 campaign. On paper, it has the feel of a game that could swing on a few matchups and a few possessions.
At point guard, the duel between Louisville’s Kasean Pryor? Wait-no, the real headliner is between Louisville’s Mallory and Virginia’s Shelstad.
Mallory’s 2025-26 line at Louisville reads 0 GS, 36 GP, 24.1 MPG, 9.3 PPG, 3.4 APG, 3.7 RPG, 42.2% FG, 34.5% 3PT. Shelstad’s 2025-26 at Oregon was 12 GS, 12 GP, 34.8 MPG, 15.6 PPG, 4.9 APG, 2.9 RPG, 39.1% FG, 31.4% 3PT.
Shelstad has the bigger reputation, but he’s also coming off a nasty hand injury and still has to prove it in the ACC. Mallory, meanwhile, looks set up for a breakout.
That’s the kind of battle Virginia will try to win with pace and pressure, and Louisville may still have a slight edge there.
On the wing, Dixon versus Trimble suddenly became even more interesting after ESPN broke the news that former North Carolina guard Seth Trimble has transferred to Louisville. Dixon’s 2025-26 at UC Irvine: 35 GS, 35 GP, 30.4 MPG, 15.9 PPG, 2.5 APG, 3.6 RPG, 43.0% FG, 38.5% 3PT.
Trimble’s 2025-26 at North Carolina: 24 GS, 24 GP, 32.4 MPG, 14.0 PPG, 3.0 APG, 3.8 RPG, 47.1% FG, 28.6% 3PT. Trimble gives the Cardinals another versatile piece, the kind of player who can tilt a close game even if he isn’t the primary option.
Virginia’s other perimeter spot brings another test for Louisville. Lewis’ 2025-26 line: 35 GS, 36 GP, 25.4 MPG, 10.6 PPG, 1.4 APG, 3.6 RPG, 45.5% FG, 40.3% 3PT.
Knox’s 2025-26 at Arkansas: 18 GS, 22 GP, 22.1 MPG, 8.1 PPG, 1.2 APG, 4.5 RPG, 46.0% FG, 37.7% 3PT. Knox might have the athletic edge, but Lewis brings the steadier scoring profile and the kind of production that can stretch a defense.
The biggest mismatch may come at power forward. Thijs De Ridder, a sophomore, posted 36 GS, 36 GP, 27.7 MPG, 15.6 PPG, 1.6 APG, 6.2 RPG, 50.8% FG, 35.7% 3PT.
Alvaro Folgueiras, a senior who spent 2025-26 at Iowa, had 1 GS, 37 GP, 20.7 MPG, 8.4 PPG, 2.2 APG, 3.6 RPG, 50.5% FG, 33.3% 3PT. Folgueiras can stretch the floor and bring some modern big-man skill, but De Ridder’s physicality down low makes this a rough draw for the new Cardinal.
And then there’s the center spot, where Virginia may have the most imposing answer on the floor. Grunloh’s 2025-26 line: 36 GS, 36 GP, 21.0 MPG, 7.1 PPG, 0.6 APG, 5.2 RPG, 53.3% FG, 35.0% 3PT.
Across from him is Bidunga, whose 2025-26 at Kansas was 34 GS, 35 GP, 31.6 MPG, 13.3 PPG, 1.5 APG, 9.0 RPG, 64.0% FG, 0.0% 3PT. The source makes the case plainly: Bidunga should be the best center in the ACC, and he has a chance to hold that kind of edge all season long.
He was a star at Kansas and brings the kind of power that can overwhelm almost anyone.
Virginia has had Louisville’s number in recent seasons, and the home court plus Ryan Odom’s system still make this a tough ask for Pat Kelsey’s team. But Louisville’s portal haul is real, and the addition of Trimble only strengthens the Cardinals’ case.
This one has the look of a game that could feel like late March.
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