Big Red Louie
Fansided

Louisville basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. Syracuse

By Jacob Lane

LOUISVILLE, KY - JANUARY 25: Steven Enoch #23, Jordan Nwora #33, Darius Perry #2 and Dwayne Sutton #24 of the Louisville Cardinals take the floor in the second half of a game against the Clemson Tigers 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: Steven Enoch #23, Jordan Nwora #33, Darius Perry #2 and Dwayne Sutton #24 of the Louisville Cardinals take the floor in the second half of a game against the Clemson Tigers at KFC YUM! Center on January 25, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Clemson 80-62. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 18: Jordan Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals is trapped by teammates Javin DeLaurier #12 and Jack White #41 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 18, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 18: Jordan Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals is trapped by teammates Javin DeLaurier #12 and Jack White #41 of the Duke Blue Devils during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on January 18, 2020 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

The starting lineup changes again

Jordan Nwora is coming back into the starting lineup, right?

I mean, if there’s one thing we can be certain of in 2020 with Louisville basketball, it’s that nothing is certain. However, whatever we thought “benching” Nwora (who played 30 minutes) was going to do didn’t happen. There was no positive effect from Louisville starting the game in a 16-5 hole with Nwora on the bench.

Perhaps Chris Mack did it to send a message about grades, effort in practice, or any number of things. Regardless of why it happened, I’d be willing to bet it doesn’t happen again.

I believe, however, that there will be a second lineup change as well.

Fans have been calling for David Johnson to get the starting nod, and while there’s no evidence that Johnson starting would truly help, I’m not sure why you wouldn’t take a crack at putting him in to start.

Fresh Kimble and Darius Perry have looked fine as a starting backcourt, but they were well below average during Louisville’s two-game skid while Johnson was humming along at his usual rate. In an article published by The Athletic including quotes from anonymous coaches about ACC from within the conference highlighted the narrative that many believe to be true. The Louisville guards aren’t playing at the level needed to win a championship.

David Johnson has continued to be productive, even as the Cards have lost, and honestly could be the biggest reason why they’ve stayed somewhat competitive. Louisville is in desperate need for a playmaker who can not only get others involved at a high level but can make plays themselves both scoring and on defense.

If I am a betting man, I’d slightly favor Johnson, Perry, Dwayne Sutton, Nwora, and Steven Enoch as the starting five on Wednesday.

Home/Louisville Basketball