Big Red Louie
Fansided

Predicting the 8 biggest games for Louisville basketball in 2019-20

By Tristan Beckmann

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 9
Next
LOUISVILLE, KY – DECEMBER 29: Chris Mack the head coach of the the Louisville Cardinals and John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats talk before the game at KFC YUM! Center on December 29, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – DECEMBER 29: Chris Mack the head coach of the the Louisville Cardinals and John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats talk before the game at KFC YUM! Center on December 29, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

@ Kentucky

December 28th 

Every Louisville basketball fan has endured the struggles of the Bluegrass Rivalry. Sometimes it looks like the Cards just forget to play their game when they see John Calipari on the sidelines.

I’m not sure what it is, but I expect it to be different this season, even if they end up on the losing end of the spectrum. Rupp Arena will be filled by Big Blue Nation on December 28th, and both teams should still be amongst the top ten teams in the polls.

The questions surrounding Kentucky once again centers around the young talent and how it progresses early on, as well as whether or not the Cats can find elite three-point shooters. Kentucky brings in one of the nation’s top recruiting classes, headlined by three five-stars in high profile scorer Tyrese Maxey, the athletic Kahlil Whitney, and the versatile Keion Brooks, all of whom will emerge as key contributors for the Cats this season.

Calipari will rely on freshman Johnny Juzang and Bucknell graduate transfer Nate Sestina to be the primary perimeter shooters for his squad. If Ashton Hagans improves as a three-point shooter, they could very well be the top team in the nation.

Chris Mack’s team should not be scared however, because these are the types of teams you have to beat in March. The Cards cannot afford for Jordan Nwora to go completely silent in this game, or else it will be a real struggle. Nwora will have to step up and so will Fresh Kimble, who needs to put this offense in positions where they can avoid turning the ball over, which is easier said than done with Hagans on the other end.

The Cards and Cats will battle in this one, which will live up to the hype as one of the best games of the year. Expect home-court advantage to be the difference-maker here.

Prediction: Louisville and Kentucky battle in an all-time classic but Kentucky makes just enough plays late to secure the win. Kentucky over Louisville, 81-75.

Home/Louisville Basketball