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

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 13: Ryan McMahon #30 of the Louisville Cardinals dribbles the ball against Prentiss Hubb #3 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during their game in the second round of the 2019 Men’s ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 13, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 13: Ryan McMahon #30 of the Louisville Cardinals dribbles the ball against Prentiss Hubb #3 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during their game in the second round of the 2019 Men’s ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 13, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

@ Notre Dame

January 11th

The importance of the Notre Dame-Louisville rivalry has decreased over the past two seasons as the Fighting Irish have endured back to back rough campaigns. This year’s Notre Dame team is good enough to make the NCAA Tournament, but they’ll need to stay healthy and use their experience to their advantage.

They also have to become a better perimeter shooting basketball team, shooting just under 32 percent last season. John Mooney returns after making the 2019 All-ACC Third Team, as he averaged 14.1 points and 11.2 rebounds as one of the few players who stayed healthy all season. Coach Mike Brey expects a big bounce-back season from T.J. Gibbs Jr., who put up inefficient shooting numbers last season. The Irish also are excited to see the improvements for sophomore guard Prentiss Hubb, who averaged 8.1 points as a freshman.

The key to the success of Notre Dame is the return of Rex Pflueger, who is expected to be the leader of this team in his fifth year after an injury ended his 2018-19 season very early. Louisville historically struggles in South Bend, and they barely won their last meeting here in 2018. It will be a raucous environment and the Cards will have to show their toughness to come in and defeat the Fighting Irish, although they are more talented.

The veterans will need to step up and lead the team in this game, as will be expected for much of the season. If Louisville allows Notre Dame to hang around, this will get interesting in the final stretch.

Prediction: Louisville will struggle offensively, and the Irish will do just enough to secure an upset. Notre Dame capitalizes on the Cards’ struggles and secures a season-defining win. Notre Dame over Louisville, 67-64.