Contrarian that I am, I am loathe to fall in line behind the vicissitudinous Pied Piper of political correctitude.

Adhering to advice not to use naughty words when inappropriate also remains an anathema to my let the chips fall where they may devil may care attitude.

That said, on occasion there is adherence. I shall open thus with this opinionation of the University of Louisville’s 24-25 baskeball schedule.

The Year I slate of games of the Pat Kelsey Reset Era is a M****r F****r.

Games 1, 3, and 4 should be Ws. Morehead State, Bellarmine, Winthrop.

If not, it shall be deja vu all over again, and we be apprised we’re still in a heap o’ heap.

Game 2 is Top 15 Rocky Top. Albeit in the Yum! Game 5 in the Bahamas is Top 20 Indiana. Game 6 could be Top 5 Zags.

Game 8 is Top 20 Ole Miss at home.

Game 9, the Great A&P Conference opener, is Top 10 Duke. Fortunately also in the friendly confines at 2d & Main.

Then come visits to Lexington and Tallahassee.

What satanic presence planned this Trip Tik?

Has Old Scratch taken a job in the U of L b-ball office?

Geesh.

The Cards shall be tested early.

Really, c d, we hadn’t noticed?

It eases up a smidge. Kinda sorta, but now that I think about it, not so. Tar Heels on New Year’s Day. Followed by a visit to ever challenging Charlottesville.

Help me Rhonda, can we get a friggin’ break here?

On the plus side, the Cards other two home and homes along with the Cavaliers are Florida State and Pittsburgh. Projected conference titans Clemson and Wake Forest are at home, as are the games with the Evil Empire and Tar Heels.

The last three are at home, including long time rivals Cal and Stanford.

Assuming we make it that far.

After what we saw during the summer venture to the Caribbean against a couple rummies hope has sprung. As I try to digest the schedule, my stomach asks, “You got any Prilosec in the medicine cabinet?”

Coach Kelsey, Messrs. Scott, Hadley, Johnson, Sherman, Edwards Jr., Smith, Pryor, Rooths, Rodgers, Antonelli, Anselem-Ibe, Khalifa, Hepburn, Traore, McCool, Legg, and Waterman, welcome to The Ville.

 * * * * *

OK, I’m not totally in the dumps. Honest.

A couple of stats have me hopeful.

Though not as a team, the Cards are experienced. The most in the conference as a matter of fact.

When it comes to career DI minutes on the roster, U of L has 20,677. 5 players with 2,000+.

Next most in league is SMU with almost 2500 less.

It’s now, if you hadn’t noticed, a three point shooting game.

Louisville again leads the league in career triples made. 853. Five shooters with 50+.

Next most is Miami with 98 fewer.

Which is one the reasons why the hoops scribes at theathletic.com have projected the Cardinals to finish 3d behind the usual duo from Tobacco Road. Which projection published way before the schedules were announced.

Also Joe Lunardi now has the Cards as one of the Last Four In the door for the postseason Dance.

First real game is Monday, November 4.

I’ll be there.

Hope you are too.

— c d kaplan