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5 teams we’d like to see on Louisville basketball’s schedule in 2019-2020

By Jacob Lane

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Peyton Siva #3 of the Louisville Cardinals draws contact against Justin Jackson #5 and Dion Dixon #3 of the Cincinnati Bearcats during the finals of the Big East Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden at Madison Square Garden on March 10, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: Peyton Siva #3 of the Louisville Cardinals draws contact against Justin Jackson #5 and Dion Dixon #3 of the Cincinnati Bearcats during the finals of the Big East Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden at Madison Square Garden on March 10, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – FEBRUARY 28: Head coach Chris Mack of the Xavier Musketeers celebrates after winning the Big East Conference regular season title with an 84-74 win over the Providence Friars at Cintas Center on February 28, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – FEBRUARY 28: Head coach Chris Mack of the Xavier Musketeers celebrates after winning the Big East Conference regular season title with an 84-74 win over the Providence Friars at Cintas Center on February 28, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Xavier

Who wouldn’t love to see protege vs prodigy, with Chris Mack going up against his former school and assistant Travis Steele?

Mack was the most successful coach in history at Xavier going 215-97 during his nine-year tenure, helping the program reach new heights including eight NCAA Tournament appearances that included four Sweet 16’s and an Elite Eight appearance as well as helping them transition from the Atlantic Ten to the Big East.

After Mack left the program, long-time assistant Travis Steele took over and nearly made the NCAA Tournament in his first year.

A matchup between Louisville and Xavier is probably the least likely out of the five we have on this list, but it would probably present the most intriguing storylines. My guess is both Mack and Steele would probably not be fans of this ever happening because of the awkward position it would put them, but it could be a pretty good game if it took place.

In 2019, Xavier will likely return all four of their leading scorers from the 2018 season, all of whom were Mack recruits at one point in time. Travis Steele will also bring in a top 25 recruiting class as well as one of the nation’s top graduate transfers, which means they’ll likely find themselves as a top 25 team heading into the season.

Louisville would probably be a heavy favorite in this type of matchup, but with all the storylines that could come from Mack going against his former school and alma mater, this would be one of the most hyped games on the schedule.

Vince Tyra, Greg Christopher… Let’s make this happen.

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