Louisville basketball: Predicting the 2019 non-conference schedule
The trap games
November 29th – Western Kentucky (Nashville) (116)
Louisville travels to Nashville to take on Western Kentucky in what should be one of the most interesting games of the year.
Initially, many fans will write this game off, but WKU is no joke in 2019-20. The Hilltoppers return the core of their squad that won 20 games in 2018-19 under Rick Stansberry, and are primed to be an NCAA tournament team this year.
The Tops return their top recruit of all-time and Conference USA freshman and player of the year in center Charles Bassey, who averaged a double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds). They also bring back Lexington native and rising star Tavieon Hollingsworth, talented forward Tolu Smith, and bring in grad transfer sharpshooter Camron Justice.
The Hilltoppers can match Louisville’s size upfront, and they are sure to bring a tenacity to this game with a ton to prove. It’s no secret that there’s bad blood between the two programs. Though Rick Pitino is gone, Stansberry still remains at the helm eager to prove he’s still among the nation’s elite coaches.
In Conference USA, it’s tough to not win the conference tournament and receive a bid to the big dance. However, if WKU could pull off the upset with a hostile, likely pro-Hilltopper crowd behind them, it could go a long way towards making this season a success.
December 3rd – Michigan (ACC/Big Ten Challenge) (6)
Michigan is finally settling in after one of the most hectic offseasons a program can experience. The Wolverines were one of the top teams in the country last season and were expected to return as one of the Big Ten favorites in 2019-20 season.
However, after the departure of long-time head coach John Beilein who suddenly and surprisingly accepted an NBA gig with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the loss of stars Jordan Poole and Ignas Brazdeikis to the NBA, the Wolverines were in search of answers.
They may have found the best answer possible in former “Fab 5” alumnus Juwan Howard, who they plucked after his long run as an NBA assistant coach.
The Wolverines may have a shot at creating a solid tournament resume, and nothing would send a bigger message than going on the road and upsetting a projected preseason top 5 team in Louisville.
Michigan returns All-Big Ten performer in forward Jon Teske, who is going to have to put the team on his back in his final collegiate season. The Wolverines will hand things off to rising junior Isaiah Livers, who moved to a sixth-man role for the squad last season but is more than capable of being a dangerous threat.
They also bring in freshmen Franz Wagner (brother of Washington Wizard and former Wolverine great Moritz Wagner) and Cole Bejema, both of whom will likely be relied upon right away.
If there’s an unexpected loss right off the top for Louisville in non-conference play, this is probably it. Michigan has a ton of talent and a really solid coaching staff coming in. However, they will be coming to the KFC Yum! Center 72 hours removed from three games in three days against a daunting Battle 4 Atlantis slate. They open with Iowa State will face North Carolina or Alabama and will finish with Gonzaga, Seton Hall, or Oregon.
Louisville will make a short trip home after their WKU match-up and will be primed for their first primetime national TV game in a month.
Michigan could sneak up on the Cards, but it’s hard to envision a loss on their home court.