Big Red Louie
Fansided

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

By Tristan Beckmann

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – MARCH 09: Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers drives past Dwayne Sutton #24 of the Louisville Cardinals in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on March 9, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – MARCH 09: Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers drives past Dwayne Sutton #24 of the Louisville Cardinals in the second half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on March 9, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

vs. Virginia

February 8th 

@ Virginia

March 7th

Louisville’s struggles with Notre Dame are nothing compared to their seemingly endless struggle against Virginia. The Cards have lost nine in a row to the Cavaliers as Tony Bennett always seems to have the Louisville basketball program’s number.

Louisville has been so close in recent years, but they’ve been derailed. I firmly believe that Virginia’s winning streak will come to an end in one of their two meetings this season. Virginia is the defending national champion, and they’re ridiculously well-coached, but they are tasked with replacing a lot of key players this season, mainly in Kyle Guy, De’Andre Hunter, and Ty Jerome.

Mamadi Diakite, Jay Huff, Kihei Clark, and Braxton Key will be the returning veterans that Bennett will heavily rely on. Tomas Woldetensae is a JUCO transfer who is advanced at scoring from the perimeter. Bennett also brings in two top 70 recruits in guard Casey Morsell and center Kadin Shedrick, who both should play big roles as freshmen in this system.

To beat Virginia, Louisville will have to figure out the daunting defense that the Cavaliers have used to kill many opponents through the years. With weapons across the perimeter as well as two experienced big men who have now combined to face Virginia 10 times, Louisville will be more prepared than ever. But can they get over the mental stumbling block that has been the Cavaliers since joining the ACC?

Prediction: I have confidence that Louisville will play well enough at home and beat Virginia in a slow-paced low scoring battle, but I don’t think the Cards are going to go into Charlottesville and beat Virginia on their final game of the year. Hopefully, they prove me wrong! Louisville beats Virginia at home, 59-52, but goes down on the road, 68-60.

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