Three things we learned about Louisville basketball vs. NC State

Jordan Nwora can be a difference-maker in other areas besides scoring

One of the more frustrating parts of the season for Louisville has been how the ups and downs of Jordan Nwora’s season have been handled by a certain loud minority of the Cardinal fanbase.

Don’t get what I’m about to say twisted. Nwora has been special for Louisville once again, leading Louisville and sitting second in the conference in scoring, averaging over 19 points per game.

Fans have become so accustomed to seeing Nwora have to score at a high-level for Louisville in order to pick up a win that when the game doesn’t dictate number 33 scoring 20-plus points, fans worry if he’s ever going to show up again.

Unfortunately for Nwora, it’s his body language and overall mannerisms that at times make things look so effortless that people mistake making it look easy with not trying. It’s been the constant criticism and complaints from fans who want to see the “future NBA” player score 20 points every single game like he told the media he could following his career-high 37 points against Boston College.

"“I can score 20 points a game if I really want to.It’s not really about that this year. It’s about winning games. I don’t want to score 20 in a way that’s going to hurt the team. I’m just going to find shots at the right time and do my best job to help the team win. That’s the goal right now.”"

For the reader screaming at their computer screen “but what about the games when Nwora didn’t show up?” trust me, I hear you. The Kentucky and Texas Tech games were hard to watch at times as the junior wing was completely taken out of big games by some of the top defenses in the country.

In other games, Nwora has let the lack of early offensive production creep into the overall tenacity to which he plays all phases of the game, which at times have impacted his defense, rebounding, and overall shot selection and decision-making.

Against Texas Tech that wasn’t an issue. While Nwora struggled to get going against North Carolina State, he continued to give everything he had on both sides of the floor, providing solid defense against the likes of C.J. Bryce and Jericole Hellems, while attacking the glass relentlessly.

As I mentioned before, last season and even earlier this year Louisville has had to rely on Jordan Nwora’s scoring in order to win games. But now at this point in the season, other players have emerged and Louisville has become even more dangerous because of it.

There are going to be games down the stretch where Nwora might only provide 10-14 points, but we have to trust that he’s going to feel out the game and let his offense come to him rather than force things. It’s how he does the other things that impact winning that could become even more valuable down the stretch of the season if we get the same level of play we saw Saturday against North Carolina State.