Louisville basketball: Way too early bold predictions for 2020-21
Louisville is upset multiple times in non-conference play but still secures ACC double-bye
If there’s one thing that Louisville fans can hang their hat on in the first two seasons of the Chris Mack era, it’s the fact that the Cardinals have been remarkably consistent against opponents that they are favored against- Particularly in the non-conference.
There are growing pains no matter the season, but Louisville has coasted through the non-conference relatively unscathed against opponents that they should beat. Yes, the loss to Texas Tech this past year was a tough one, but a non-conference loss against the defending national runner-up isn’t something to lose sleep over.
This season, however, things might get a little dicey to start the year. The Cardinals don’t appear, by any means, to have a brutal non-conference slate, but that doesn’t mean teams won’t sneak up on them.
The Cards are going to be extremely inexperienced to start the season, and I think that could ultimately cost them early on. As of right now, we know that Louisville will face Western Kentucky, Kentucky, and Navy at home and travel to Las Vegas to face Arkansas, San Francisco, and Colorado State.
Sources: Louisville, Arkansas, San Francisco, and Colorado State will headline the 2020 MGM Main Event in Las Vegas.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 27, 2020
Among just those teams alone, there are some tricky games against some talented squads. Obviously, a lot remains to be seen regarding who returns around the country, but it feels like a couple of early-season slip-ups this year may be imminent.
However, that doesn’t ultimately mean that Louisville can’t have a successful season. What the Cardinals do on the back end of the schedule is ultimately far more important than a few early season non-conference match-ups.
The ACC will be on the upswing in 2020-21 with teams like North Carolina, Syracuse, Notre Dame, Clemson returning some savvy veteran players. Still, Louisville could be the dark horse to win the whole thing heading into this season. With long guards up front, a returning veteran defensive big man in Malik Williams, and a slew of young, talented players on its roster, the Cardinals have a number of players who will match up well against ACC competition.