Big Red Louie
Fansided

Six bold predictions for Louisville basketball in 2019-2020

By Jacob Lane

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 21: Head coach Chris Mack of the Louisville basketball program looks on during their game in the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 21: Head coach Chris Mack of the Louisville basketball program looks on during their game in the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 7
Next
LOUISVILLE, KY – DECEMBER 05: Ryan McMahon#30 of the Louisville Cardinals dribbles the ball against the Central Arkansas Bears at KFC YUM! Center on December 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – DECEMBER 05: Ryan McMahon#30 of the Louisville Cardinals dribbles the ball against the Central Arkansas Bears at KFC YUM! Center on December 5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Alan Thomas (@Card_N_AL): Ryan MacMahon will start five games or more this season

So many weapons. So much talent. How on earth will Ryan MacMahon sneak into the starting lineup this season five times? Two reasons: experience and David Johnson’s injury.

MacMahon is now heralded as a leader on Team 106, being named one of three team captains this August. The sharpshooter from Sarasota has made a reputation for himself by exuding confidence and toughness, two things that Coach Chris Mack and staff would love to be the team’s makeup.

Impressing the coaches by doing all the little things is a great way to land in the starting lineup.

When David Johnson went down with an injury, my first thought was that it sure opened up a path for Darius Perry to put a stamp as one of the leading guards on the team.

But the more I pondered the situation, it became apparent that the sleeper to earn some starting reps in the seasons early going would be Ryan.

If you consider some of the weaker matchups prior to the turn of 2020, Coach Mack has a few golden opportunities to reward the senior shooting guard while tweaking some in-game strategies along the way. Throw in Senior Day as a gimme and I think it’s very possible to see MacMahon as a starter four other times.

Home/Louisville Basketball