Louisville basketball: Cards look to make it seven straight against Boston College

Key matchups

Boston College’s small lineup vs. Louisville’s big offense

During his weekly press conference, Chris Mack talked about the challenges of facing off against a Boston College team that has recently begun using small-ball look with center Nik Popovic out with injury.

While Popovic has been a consistent force on both ends of the floor the last few seasons for BC, his lack of athleticism and ability to provide versatility have become targeted by teams with mobile big men.

Without Popovic, Jim Christian went with a lineup that featured three forwards, Steffon Mitchell, CJ Felder, and Jairus Hamilton, none of whom stand over 6’8. Even with Popovic back in the lineup against Virginia Tech, the Eagles kept him on the bench relying on a smaller, faster, and more athletic lineup to handle the scoring prowess of the Hokies.

With Enoch getting things going recently offensively, and Malik Williams providing solid scoring, rebounding, and most important defense, the Cards should once again have a big advantage in the post. A smaller lineup against a big lineup of Louisville that features two players over 6’9, should allow for the Cards to dominate.

Louisville will need to come into the game prepared to follow the scouting report and execute at a high-level, and even if BC’s bigs are able to switch more effectively onto guards, there should be a huge advantage for the Cards.

Jordan Nwora vs. Jairus Hamilton

After looking back at all of the players who have matched up one-on-one with Nwora this season, I really do believe that Hamilton could present a lot of challenges.

As I mentioned, he’s a big combo-forward at 6’8, 234 pounds who can move really well and has the athleticism and length to bother just about anyone. He’s also developing into a more than capable scoring, notching a career-high 23 points in the win over Virginia Tech.

“I feel like I’m starting to come into my own, figuring out the pace of the game,” Jairus Hamilton said. “I’ve been more focused on being patient and finding things before I go in and try to attack.”

Jordan Nwora is a tough guard for just about anyone in the country, but for a player like Hamilton, it could be the perfect matchup. For Nwora, it’ll be about moving without the ball, using screens effectively, and matching the level of physicality that we should expect to see from Hamilton.

The defensive matchup on Nwora won’t fall exclusively on Hamilton as fellow Boston College forward’s Steffon Mitchell and CJ Felder both should see time guarding the potential ACC Player of the Year. The Eagles did a good but not great job with Virginia Tech forward Landers Nolley II, limiting him to just 15 points, but against Matthew Hurt of Duke, they showed that their defense is vulnerable, allowing the freshman to hit five three’s.

The potential is there for Nwora to have a big game, but if he doesn’t, you’ll likely be able to pinpoint Hamilton as the player who caused the most challenges.