Louisville basketball: Projected 2020-21 starting lineup 1.0
Malik Williams – Big man (Sr.)
2019-20 stats: 8.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 0.6 bpg
If David Johnson is the No. 1 lock as a starter next season, Malik Williams is 1a.
If there’s one player we overlooked due to the production of Steven Enoch, Jordan Nwora, and Dwayne Sutton it was Williams.
Williams led Louisville last season as a fantastic offensive rebounder and an all-hustle guy. He also was hands down the Cards’ best defender. Now, for the first time in his career, Williams will enter as the presumptive starter and a player that will get a ton of minutes.
If he remains healthy, I see Williams as a 28-30 minute per game type of guy, and Louisville will need the same production out of Williams over the course of 10 extra minutes per game if they want to continue their winning ways.
Williams does so many little things right. He is a great defender hedging on ball screens, runs the floor like a gazelle, and has a solid face-up game.
Though his play is trending towards that of a modern NBA big, Mack will need him to play stronger with his back to the basket and be someone who is extremely consistent around the rim.
If Williams can be the true five-man and run that four-out-one-in system, his rebounding, hustle plays, and second-chance points would be a huge asset.
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He has been an underrated guy in his first three years, and Williams will have to play with the same blue-collar attitude to get his team where he needs to go.