November 2, 2026
No. 11 Louisville opened its 2026-27 men’s basketball season with an 84-70 victory over Chattanooga on Monday night at the KFC Yum! Center, using an explosive first-half performance to secure the win despite a sluggish second half.
Junior forward Flory Bidunga led the Cardinals with 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals in his Louisville debut. Adrian Wooley added 15 points, while Seth Trimble and Jackson Shelstad contributed 13 apiece. Alvaro Folgueiras rounded out Louisville’s double-digit scorers with 10 points.
The Cardinals (1-0) wasted little time establishing control, jumping to a 17-5 lead behind efficient shooting, aggressive defense and strong play around the basket.
Louisville continued to build momentum throughout the opening half, using a 10-0 run to extend its advantage to 37-14 with 9:43 remaining. The Cardinals shot 56.8% from the field before halftime and carried a commanding 56-35 lead into the locker room.
However, the second half told a different story.
Chattanooga (0-1) adjusted defensively and began cutting into Louisville’s lead as the Cardinals struggled to maintain their offensive rhythm. Louisville connected on just 9 of 31 field-goal attempts after halftime, including 1 of 16 from 3-point range.
The Mocs outscored Louisville 35-28 in the second half and trimmed the deficit to 15 points with under four minutes remaining. Despite the offensive struggles, the Cardinals maintained enough separation to secure the season-opening victory.
Bidunga, a transfer from Kansas and the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, made an immediate impact in his first regular-season appearance for Louisville. He finished 6 of 9 from the field while providing a strong defensive presence.
Karter Knox contributed nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds, helping Louisville control the glass. The Cardinals finished with a 42-38 rebounding advantage and forced 18 Chattanooga turnovers.
For Chattanooga, Zach Bleshoy and Yonatan Levy scored 14 points each, while Lenny Anigbata added 12. The Mocs shot 43.9% from the field and connected on 12 3-pointers.
Louisville coach Pat Kelsey acknowledged the contrast between the team’s first- and second-half performances, emphasizing the need for improved consistency as the season progresses.
The Cardinals finished shooting 44.1% from the field and 25.7% from beyond the arc, highlighting areas that will require improvement against stronger competition.
Despite those struggles, Louisville showed flashes of its potential with a balanced scoring attack, athleticism and defensive intensity.
The victory marked Louisville’s fourth consecutive season-opening win and its third under Kelsey.
With the first win secured, the Cardinals will look to build on their early success while addressing their second-half shooting difficulties.
Up next: Louisville remains at home to face Morehead State on Saturday, Nov. 7, at noon at the KFC Yum! Center.
Photos by Roscelle Griffin
Roscelle Griffin, a talented photographer from Johnson City, Tennessee, excelled as a women’s basketball player at the University of Louisville. Her passion for photography, ignited by her grandmother’s gift of a Polaroid camera, now drives her to capture moments that transport viewers into a world of boldness and excitement. Roscelle’s media company, 502 Media Now, specializes in sports videography and photography, showcasing the dynamic world of sports while also excelling in real estate, headshots, weddings, and events.
