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Louisville Preparing To Spend $10 Million On Transfers After NCAA Tournament Loss

Originally posted on The Spun | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Mar 21, 2025 11:40 AM ET

Louisville had a tremendous 2024-25 season under first-year head coach Pat Kelsey.

Kelsey brought the program back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2018-19 season when Chris Mack was the head coach. Louisville had missed the tournament five seasons in a row and won a combined 12 games these last two seasons.

Kelsey shattered that combined win total in 2024-25, guiding Louisville to a 27-8 record before losing in the first round to Creighton. Creighton was on fire from three-point range, resulting in an 89-75 win.

Creighton will play top-seeded Auburn in the second round on Saturday with a berth in the Sweet 16 at stake.

Despite Louisville having a great season, the program isn't close to satisfied. It wants more and according to On3's Pete Nakos, Louisville is prepared to spend upwards of $10 million in the transfer portal for next season's roster.

NEW: Louisville is prepared to spend $8M to $10M in the transfer portal for next season's men's basketball roster, @PeteNakos_ reportshttps://t.co/hS3q1crbhC pic.twitter.com/EvaOrxj4EY
— On3 (@On3sports) March 21, 2025

Louisville has the NIL money to spend and it appears the school wants to go through with it. Louisville hasn't made the second round of the NCAA Tournament since the 2016-17 season and hasn't gotten to at least the Sweet 16 since the 2014-15 season.

The school wants to get the program back competing for national titles like it was doing when Rick Pitino was the head coach.

Kelsey has built a strong foundation and can sell top transfers on coming to Louisville after the success he had in only one season.

Before coaching Louisville, he coached the College of Charleston for three seasons, taking the program to the NCAA Tournament twice. He also coached Winthrop for nine seasons, leading the team to two NCAA Tournament appearances.

He has compiled a 288-130 overall record in 13 seasons as a Division I head coach.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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