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Louisville basketball: Bold predictions for ACC Tournament

By Jacob Lane

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - MARCH 07: Steven Enoch #23 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts in the final second of a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on March 7, 2020 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - MARCH 07: Steven Enoch #23 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts in the final second of a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on March 7, 2020 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – FEBRUARY 05: Ryan McMahon #30 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates with Dwayne Sutton #24 and Lamarr Kimble #0 after hitting a three-point shot against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the second half of a game at KFC YUM! Center on February 5, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Wake Forest 86-76. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – FEBRUARY 05: Ryan McMahon #30 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates with Dwayne Sutton #24 and Lamarr Kimble #0 after hitting a three-point shot against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the second half of a game at KFC YUM! Center on February 5, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Wake Forest 86-76. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Stephen Kalayil: Louisville shows senior resiliency that analysts and fans have been looking for

During the 2019-2020 season, many predicted the Cardinals to win the ACC due to having a complete team with depth and experience. On paper, they had the perfect amount of returning talent and an infusion of big-time recruits.

The Cardinals had a good season, tying for second place and defeated Virginia and Duke. However, many wanted more from the Cardinals. Throughout the year they let countless teams that were less talented hang around with them for long stretches, got off to slow starts to the halves, and lacked a killer instinct.

The motto for the Cardinals was to finish, and to their credit they often did, but everyone clamored for more. This was evident in the late-season stretch where the Cards lost back to back road games to Georgia Tech and Clemson in listless efforts.

Jordan Nwora, Ryan McMahon, Dwayne Sutton, and Fresh Kimble will dig in deep and be a tough out not only in the ACC Tournament but also in the NCAA Tournament. Nwora, McMahon, and Sutton have played for three coaches in their UofL tenure, dealt with the NCAA scandal, endured the epic Duke meltdown in 2019 and lost a first-round game to a Minnesota Gopher team coached by Richard Pitino.

Next. Let’s have an honest discussion about Louisville basketball. dark

These players have a lot more to prove to go down as one of the best teams in Louisville lore. Fresh Kimble, the grad transfer from St. Joes came to Louisville for the chance to compete in the NCAA tournament and be the missing piece for UofL. Chris Mack preaches toughness and it is time for these seasoned upperclassmen to build off their experiences and make a deep March run.

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