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Louisville basketball: Three bold predictions vs. North Carolina

By Presley Meyer

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) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – FEBRUARY 01: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels plays during a game against the Boston College Eagles on February 01, 2020 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Boston College won 70-71. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – FEBRUARY 01: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels plays during a game against the Boston College Eagles on February 01, 2020 at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Boston College won 70-71. (Photo by Peyton Williams/UNC/Getty Images) /

Cole Anthony is held below his season averages in points and rebounds

For those who have not gotten a chance to watch North Carolina this season, their situation is a peculiar one.

Though the Tar Heels have a dreadful record, they play almost half of their season without superstar guard Cole Anthony– And that’s a really big deal.

Anthony was one of the best players in the country in the 2019 class, and in only 15 games has blossomed into a near lock as a top ten pick in the 2020 draft.

At 6’2,” 185, Anthony is a skilled point guard with the complete package, and he is adept at getting to the basket. He has topped 20 points in 7 out of 15 games played this year.

On a UNC squad that uncharacteristically lacks in star power, Anthony has the been the lifeblood of their offense.

Though North Carolina has lost 9 out of its last 10 when Anthony has been in action (that’s so weird to say/ write) they have lost a ton of heartbreakers in the waning moments. Anthony has been a spark for the offense and overall one of the only positives on this team.

With that said, Louisville stands a very good chance to keep Anthony in check on Saturday.

To start, Louisville is going to key on the UNC point guard and try to force it out of his hands. The Cards have done a solid job this season of taking away penetration from opposing ball handlers.

Remember Duke’s Trey Jones? Louisville stifled the future lottery pick and disrupted the flow of the Blue Devil’s offense time after time.

All four players in the Louisville backcourt have been much improved at stopping the areas where Anthony thrives and that may bode well for them on Saturday.

Look for Anthony to be under 19.5 points and 6 rebounds.

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