Game Info:

When: Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7:00 p.m. (EST)

Where: KFC Yum! Center

Watch: ACCNX

Meeting History: This is Louisville and Mercyhurst’s first ever meeting

The Louisville Cardinals return to the KFC Yum! Center for the final exhibition game of the season, hosting the Mercyhurst Lakers Wednesday night.

The No. 11 Cardinals are coming off of a 89-83 road victory versus the No. 17 Kansas Jayhawks.

A Look at Louisville:

Louisville got off to a rough start in Allen Fieldhouse, going down 7 in the first five minutes, beginning 1-7 from the field. The Cards were able to put together a string of runs, and went to half only down by one. In the first six minutes of the second, Louisville turned a 36-37 deficit to a 56-45 lead. Consecutive threes from guard Adrian Woolley got things going. From then on, the Cardinals would be able to hold onto their lead despite a late surge from the Jayhawks, securing the win.

Oregon transfer guard Jackson Shelstad led all Cardinals in scoring with 23 points. Shelstad finished 8-15 from the floor and 4-8 from 3. In the second half, he scored 16 points and hit 3 from deep. The transfer showed how shifty he is with the ball with his ability to quickly stop and shoot. Shot selection was questionable at times, but when they go in, you have little reason to complain.

Freshman center Obinna Ekezie Jr. was a very pleasant surprise versus Kansas. Ekezie reclassed up a year, joining the Cardinals for 2026 instead of 2027. Coming off of shoulder surgery, there was some uncertainty about how much he would see the floor. Playing 19 minutes, he filled the stat sheet and made his presence felt everywhere. Ekezie shot 67% from 3 while having 5 blocks down low. His addition this year is going to be even more valuable than what Cardinals fans originally thought.

A Look at Mercyhurst:

The Mercyhurst Lakers enter the 2026-27 season looking to build on a successful year. Under longtime head coach Gary Manchel, Mercyhurst finished the 2025-26 season with a 17-17 record and reached the Northeast Conference championship game in its first season eligible for the conference tournament. They fell 79-70 to top-seeded LIU in the title game. The Lakers moved up to Division I in 2024, but remain ineligible for the NCAA Tournament until the 2028–29 season.

Junior guard Jake Lemelman is the Lakers’ best returning player. He scored 474 points last season, averaging 13.9 per game, and also started every game. Lemelman picked up All-NEC Third Team honors last season and was placed on the 2026-2027 Preseason All-NEC team. In his sophomore year, Lemelman scored a season-high 27 points vs. Wagner, going 10-19 from the field as well as 4-9 on 3-pointers and 3-4 at the line.

Also receiving Preseason All-NEC team honors is senior guard/forward Tennessee Rainwater, who is on his third school in four years. Rainwater began his college career at Utah Tech before playing at LeMoyne in his junior season. Last year was Rainwater’s best season; he appeared in 32 games with 7 starts and averaged 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Rainwater shot 58% from the field, 50% from 3 and scored a career-high 25 points versus Wagner.

Mercyhurst has a chunk of transfers who could start or play meaningful minutes. Senior guard Daemar Kelly arrives from Northern Illinois and graduate forward Deraje Agbaosi comes from Cal State LA. Returning senior forward Cameron Johnson, who appeared in 33 games and averaged just over 3 points, should see an uptick in time on the court.

What to Watch For:

Empty the Bench: Louisville only played 9 out of 13 eligible players versus Kansas, Freshman forward Boyuan Zhang, freshman guard Isaac Ellis, senior center Gabe Dynes and sophomore Will Hanke did not see action last week, but that should be expected to change Wednesday. This exhibition presents an opportunity for head coach Pat Kelsey to expand the rotation and give inexperienced players game experience while determining how their depth can contribute throughout the year.

Loose, But Not Careless: Starting the season in a hectic Allen Fieldhouse meant that the Cards were going to have to be on their A-game, even if it was just an exhibition. Heading back home to face an opponent they should not struggle with is certainly a change in gears, but Louisville can’t get too lackadaisical. They have an opportunity now to loosen up without much pressure on their shoulders.

Game Prediction:

Louisville 101, Mercyhurst 63