LOUISVILLE — Akoy Agau was in his usual gregarious mood on Friday, the day before Louisville’s 83-70 win over Kent State at the KFC Yum Center.



But there was more to the pep in his step than just his personality and his typically affable approach to life. Agau, the 24-year-old graduate transfer with one of the more interesting backstories in college hoops, has made it deeper into a college season without an injury or a health flareup than he ever has. He knocked on wood as he acknowledged it, hoping he could continue his run of good luck.



There is, however, much more to Agau’s durability than luck. The Cardinals haven’t swathed the 6-foot-8 post in bubble wrap. He doesn’t travel in ice. It’s just a dedicated, by-the-minute approach to staying upright and healthy that has allowed Agau to appear in nine of 11 games, including four shifts with double-digit minutes. He knows his role, and he has consistently played it well, averaging...