Louisville basketball: Predicting the 2019 non-conference schedule

The 50-50 games

December 10th – Texas Tech (Jimmy V Classic, New York) (5)

In what could not have been a more fun turn of events, Louisville managed to schedule a game against the defending national runners-up, Texas Tech.

Many fell in love with Texas Tech’s story in the 2019 NCAA tournament as they destroyed every team they played en route to a narrow loss in the championship game. Fourth-year head coach Chris Beard worked miracles over the last three seasons and has established an incredible culture with a system predicated on tenacious defense.

The Red Raiders lose pretty much everyone from last season. Jarrett Culver was a revelation, and in a normal class would have been the No. 1 overall pick this season (he wound up going sixth), while Matt Mooney, Brandon Francis, and Tariq Owens are all gone as well. But that’s the nature of college basketball, and while those players will be missed, Beard hasn’t skipped a beat in rebuilding.

The Red Raiders return heady guard Davide Moretti, and Kyler Edwards and Deshawn Corprew will return to much more impactful roles in 2019-20. That’s a solid core to build around.

Tech brings in Jahmius Ramsey, a player that Louisville (and BRL) wanted badly, but ultimately is the perfect fit in Lubbock. Ramsey is a day one starter as a freshman and brings one-and-done athleticism to the table. The other big prospect in the class is Terrance Shannon, who probably won’t be a starter because of Ramsey, but should play a key role from the jump for Beard.

The unknowns for this team are JUCO transfer Khalid Thomas, and foreign recruit Andrei Sarasov. Those two are hard to find information on, but if there’s one thing we know, Beard is great at finding diamonds in the rough.

It will take some time, but if some of the newer players pan out, Texas Tech is very much a contender once again in the Big XII.

Traveling to New York to play the defending national runners up will always be a challenge. The Cards should be favored in this game, but at this stage, it’s still very much a toss-up.

December 28th – Kentucky (8)

Every year, Kentucky is one of the toughest teams to predict due to their high turnover. This season is no different as the Wildcats lose much of their production from a solid 2018-19 squad.

The Cats most notably lose PJ Washington, Reid Travis, and Tyler Herro. However, they return Ashton Hagans, Keldon Johnson, Immanuel Quickley, and EJ Montgomery from a year ago, and add the No. 2 recruiting class.

PJ Washington helped buck the notion that players who stay can’t have success under Calipari. However, Travis- one of the most coveted grad transfers of the last few years- regressed while sharing time with Washington. Perhaps that’s a concern for Bucknell transfer Nate Sestina, who’s recruitment was overshadowed by Kerry Blackshear Jr.’s, but is a fantastic option at forward for the Wildcats.

Get used to the names Tyrese Maxey, Keion Brooks, Dionte Allen, Johnny Juzang and Khalil Whitney, the five big names in this year’s recruiting class who are looking to get acclimated to Calipari’s system in hopes of making a one year stop before the NBA.

Much has been made of Louisville’s “Super Six” class, but Kentucky has countered with six of their own newcomers, and they will have to heavily rely on the freshmen if they stand a chance at making a final four run.

Louisville is certainly the better team this season, but it has never been easy for the Cards to beat John Calipari at Kentucky. This year is unlikely to be any different.

If there’s a game that the Cards can play well and still drop in the non-conference it has to be this one. Louisville is capable of winning at Rupp Arena, but I may have to see it to believe it.

Early prediction: 1-1

Quick Recap

• This year has the potential to be one of Louisville basketball’s best of the last decade. A high seed in the NCAA tournament is within reach, but it starts with building the resume in the non-conference.
• Due to a weaker ACC slate this season, Louisville’s strength of schedule is likely to take a hit. Bad losses will count against the Cards even more so than good wins this year.
• The Cards face three schools for the first time in program history: Youngstown State, North Carolina Central, and USC Upstate.