Louisville basketball: Preseason player power rankings

One of the more talked-about players over the summer, Darius Perry finally appears primed to step into a role as a lead guard for Chris Mack.

Perry’s college career thus far could best be described as unpredictable. As electrifying as he can be when he gets on a roll, Perry has also become one of the more inconsistent members of this team. Chris Mack knows how important having Perry be at his best, and explained that openly over the offseason.

“I’d say this if Darius was right here. Darius didn’t know how to be an everyday guy and I’m big on that. If you show up and you’re in a bad mood, or things don’t go well for you and you’re different on different days, it’s going to create some problems. I think Darius had to learn the hard way.”

Perry has certainly taken some lumps in his two years in Louisville, but somehow those around the program have always anticipated a step-up in play coming from the junior guard- Mack included.

“I give him a lot of credit. A lot of guys nowadays put their name in the transfer portal and it’s the coaches fault. I’m sure there were some hard days for Darius to think should I do that or not. I was proud of how he stuck it out in the last ten games and became a guy that we had trust of putting him in because I didn’t in the middle and beginning of the season and he re-earned that.”

Louisville has some solid pieces this season with McMahon, Kimble, and the two freshmen Johnson and Nickleberry. However, if the Cards are going to achieve their goals this season Perry has to play the largest role.