Louisville basketball: Three areas of need for the 2020 recruiting class

A back-to-the-basket big man

One thing that was odd for Chris Mack in his first season was adjusting his philosophy to fit big Malik Williams, and to a certain extent, Steven Enoch.

Mack much prefers to play a four-out, one-in system where his big is the anchor for the offense. However, in order to do so, Mack needs to have a player or two willing to play back-to-the-basket, and who can utilize his post moves.

Floating out to the three-point line is counterintuitive in many of Mack’s offensive sets. He needs to go out and find a center who is a solid finisher around the rim. Running the floor well and being able to pass would be a plus, but the first step is finding a guy who can bang in the low post consistently.

That’s why the Cards are after the perfect fit for them in the class of 2020.

Louisville offered big man Zach Loveday and may be pursing center Isaiah Jackson the hardest. Mack and Pegues were also in to see DeMatha’s Hunter Dickinson, who is a five-star center with a ton of upside.

Regardless of who the Cards land, Louisville is after at least one big in this class who can anchor the middle.

Whoever ends up there, and we think it could be at least one of the guys mentioned above, could be a program-changer. An elite talent in the middle with the ability to own the paint is a big deal and can create so many more opportunities down the line for Louisville basketball.