One of the biggest college basketball storylines last season was Louisville's return to national prominence in coach Pat Kelsey's first year with the program.

In Year 2, which starts Monday with a home game against South Carolina State, the question becomes: Can the No. 11 Cardinals compete for a national title?

Based on the initial expectations, many believe the Cardinals can. Louisville is ranked in the preseason Associated Press poll for the first time since 2019.

However, they are heading into the season with 10 newcomers. That includes freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. and senior guard Ryan Conwell, who transferred from Xavier. Both were named to the preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team.

Brown, a 6-foot-5 five-star recruit at point guard, and the 6-foot-4 Conwell, who h

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