Louisville basketball: Where are the advantages & disadvantages against Kentucky?

Attacking the glass: Advantage Louisville

I think it’s important to point out that in terms of actual rankings, Louisville is 23rd and Kentucky is 33rd, respectively in rebounds per game.

Both teams are long and physical, especially in blocking out situations. The difference is Louisville will allow you to rebound from deep, seemingly without overly intense contest. They do, however, rebound by committee.

Kentucky is a stout bunch in the paint, no doubt. But I’ll take the experience, brawn, and aggressiveness of Steve Enoch, Malik Williams, Dwayne Sutton, and Jordan Nwora.

I think the x-factor on the glass is Sutton. He leads the team in rebounds per game at 8.7. He’s a junkyard dog and plays with his head on fire but in his first two games against Kentucky, he’s provided less than stellar results (two points, three rebounds). This season Louisville will need him to not only provide rebounding and great defense, but also he perimeter shooting and easy baskets at the rim that we all know he can.

I personally don’t see any big on Kentucky’s roster, much less any roster, that can match the level of intensity that he brings to the game every single time. Nick Richards and EJ Montgomery both came to UK as five-star recruits with a ton of hype as one and done players. While neither has been bad by any means, they have rarely ever played well consistently at the same time. They’ll present a big challenge on the glass but when you’re talking about the committee of rebounders for Louisville vs. a few guys for Kentucky, the advantage goes to Louisville.

Nwora and Enoch each average over seven rebounds per game and Williams averages just under that. If UK cannot keep the Cards off the glass, it’s going to make for a long day for the home team.