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Game day central: Louisville basketball looks to stay hot vs. Georgia Tech

By Presley Meyer

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - OCTOBER 29: Samuell Williamson #10 of the Louisville Cardinals dribbles the ball against the Bellarmine Knights during an exhibition game at KFC YUM! Center on October 29, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - OCTOBER 29: Samuell Williamson #10 of the Louisville Cardinals dribbles the ball against the Bellarmine Knights during an exhibition game at KFC YUM! Center on October 29, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – FEBRUARY 27: Michael Devoe #0 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets shoots over Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on February 27, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – FEBRUARY 27: Michael Devoe #0 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets shoots over Ty Jerome #11 of the Virginia Cavaliers in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on February 27, 2019 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

Match-ups to watch

Louisville’s guards vs. Tech’s stingy frontcourt

Much has been made of David Johnson’s recent play, but he will face a new challenge against the top of Tech’s 2-3 zone.

The Jackets love to push the ball away from the basket and make you run your offense from 25-30 feet out and really challenge opponents to beat them with good ball movement and great shooting.

Look for Kimble to run the show a little bit more in this one and for Mack to find ways to get Ryan McMahon and Darius Perry looks on set pieces.

Additionally, Johnson could be a good fit in the middle of the Georgia Tech zone at the soft foul line spot. Perhaps Louisville utilizes his length and athleticism and forces the opponent into man.

Jordan Nwora vs. Georgia Tech’s zones

Last season, Nwora had a fantastic showing against the 2-3 zone of Georgia Tech because of his ability to shoot from the outside, cut to the middle for mid-range pull-ups, and hit the baseline on the back end of the 2-3 defense.

Tech has shown a bunch of different looks this season, but that 2-3 may be their bread and butter, as they don’t have anyone who can adequately match up with Nwora’s size and skillset.

Just like the 2019 match-up, Mack is going to find ways to utilize Nwora in the soft spot of the defense and take advantage of their weaknesses.

James Banks III vs. Steven Enoch or Malik Williams

Again, if we are looking at the spectrum of talent across the board for Tech, I am most impressed with Banks.

Banks is maybe more of a power forward size and skill-wise, but he owns the middle for the Yellow Jackets and has been a problem for even dominant opposing bigs.

Against Duke’s Vernon Carey, he hauled in 15 boards and scored 14 points mostly on back-to-the-basket buckets and offensive put-backs.

Last season against Louisville, Banks was the lone bright spot for the Jackets, and his 24 points against Enoch and Williams were quite impressive.

Banks is a good shot-blocker and a great rebounder, and if his team has multiple players with nagging injuries, they are going to look to run their sets through him.

Williams and Enoch have to be ready for what Tech’s bigs bring to the table and not underestimate them because of their lack of size.

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