Louisville basketball: Three things we still love about 2020 Cards

LOUISVILLE, KY - JANUARY 25: Darius Perry #2 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts after hitting a three-point basket against the Clemson Tigers in the first half of a game at KFC YUM! Center on January 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Clemson 80-62. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - JANUARY 25: Darius Perry #2 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts after hitting a three-point basket against the Clemson Tigers in the first half of a game at KFC YUM! Center on January 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Clemson 80-62. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 08: Dwayne Sutton #24 of the Louisville Cardinals takes a three point shot while guarded by Mamadi Diakite #25 during the second half of the game at KFC YUM! Center on February 08, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 08: Dwayne Sutton #24 of the Louisville Cardinals takes a three point shot while guarded by Mamadi Diakite #25 during the second half of the game at KFC YUM! Center on February 08, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

Incredible three-point shooting

The game has changed, kids. Look no further than Louisville basketball in 2020 to find any proof you need. Gone are the days of young men and women growing up working on their post games and mid-range jumpers. Now it’s all about how many feet over the half-court line until you’re in a good spot to pull up for three.

College basketball used to be all about the point guards and the bigs. Hell, Louisville’s national title squad in 2013 was a pretty average three-point shooting team.

Seven years later and he Cards have fielded one of the best shooting teams in the country while they are setting a pace that hasn’t been hit since the 2004-05 Cardinals team shot 44 percent, led by Francisco Garcia and Taquan Dean.

Jordan Nwora and Ryan McMahon lead the way with percentages well into the 40’s from beyond the arc. However, even the bigs can shoot it. Steven Enoch, Malik Williams, Dwayne Sutton, and Sam Williamson can be deadly from deep and guards Darius Perry and Fresh Kimble are as timely as ever.

Louisville does tend to live and die by the three which at times can lead to games like what we saw on Wednesday night against Georgia Tech were the Cards shot 6/20 from deep. But there are rainy days in a sunny life, and for Mack’s squad, it’s all about having confidence in identity and knowing where you’re strong.

We, as Louisville fans, love the three-ball and team 106 has been a dream come true with its shooting prowess.