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Louisville basketball faces critical challenge at Pittsburgh

By Presley Meyer

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - DECEMBER 14: Jordan Nwora #30 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball during the game against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at KFC YUM! Center on December 14, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - DECEMBER 14: Jordan Nwora #30 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball during the game against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at KFC YUM! Center on December 14, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – JANUARY 11: Ryan McMahon #30 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts in the first half of the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion on January 11, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – JANUARY 11: Ryan McMahon #30 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts in the first half of the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion on January 11, 2020 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Keys to the game

Louisville must maintain a lead

This is not a game that the Cardinals should be letting the opposition hang around in the second. half. Louisville is deeper, more talented, and simply better in every facet of the game.

With that being said, Louisville has to take advantage of every opportunity to build confidence and experience, particularly as the game wears on.

Most who have paid attention this season know that the Cardinals should get out to a big lead early on. But I’d like to see Louisville in control from start to finish.

Can Ryan McMahon stay hot?

After a late December and early January that looked flat, Louisville guard Ryan McMahon was relegated to coming off the bench after starting every game in the non-conference.

Mack said on Monday that McMahon came to him when things started going south in order to figure out how to get his game back on track.

The result? A season-high 17 points, and one clutch performance when the Cardinals truly needed it. McMahon did so in an unorthodox way, as well. He made three three-point baskets, but he also got to the basket better than any other Cardinal, displaying a crafty up-and-under, and a couple of beautiful finger rolls.

If McMahon can stay hot, the Cardinals can get more productive minutes out of the all-important two-guard spot that has been a turnstile of inconsistency under Mack.

Predictions

Louisville 71, Pitt 57

  • Cards dominate Pitt on the boards
  • Ryan McMahon continues hot streak, hits 3+ threes
  • David Johnson dishes out four-plus assists

Next. Louisville basketball's last 2020 target eyes commitment. dark

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