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Louisville basketball: 3 unique lineup options for Chris Mack in 2020-21

By Alex Payton

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 21: Head coach Chris Mack of the Louisville basketball program looks on during their game in the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 21: Head coach Chris Mack of the Louisville basketball program looks on during their game in the First Round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 05: Josh Nickelberry #20 of the Louisville Cardinals warms up prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Watsco Center on November 05, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 05: Josh Nickelberry #20 of the Louisville Cardinals warms up prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Watsco Center on November 05, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Lineup no. 3

G – David Johnson
G – Josh Nickleberry
F – D’Andre Davis
F – Quinn Slazinski
C – Aidan Igiehon

Here is a bit of an experimental lineup, one we probably won’t see a ton (if at all). Last season after a bit of a struggle, we saw Mack go to a starting lineup without Jordan Nwora. This is that. Imagine the Cardinals struggling a little bit and taking probable starters out to pick up the energy.

Pairing up with Johnson in the frontcourt could be Josh Nickleberry. He didn’t see much of the floor last season, but his minutes will go up and he could develop into a potential starter or sixth man in his second season. With Nickelberry handling the scoring duties at the two, while also providing what Chris Mack has called “elite defensive capablities” it allows Johnson to focus on running the show and playmaking for others, rather than having to score.

One wild card in this line up is incoming freshman D’Andre Davis, a consensus top 100 player in the class of 2020 out of Indianapolis. Depending on his offseason development, he could see some playing time next season due to his ability to guard one on one. Another player who will start seeing more of the floor for the Cardinals next season will be Quinn Slazinski. As a freshman last year, he only saw 45 minutes in total. He will most likely play in the four spot, but this is a big lineup.

With Louisville missing on both Matt Haarms and Mattias Markusson, the backup center spot will go to Aidan Igiehon until we hear otherwise. The talented rising sophomore was a monster addition last offseason for Louisville, and while he struggled early on and dealt with injuries, the expectation is that he’ll take a big step forward.

With Igiehon at the five, the brute force on the glass and around the rim will allow to space the floor with a shooter like Slazinski without sacrificing any size or scoring. At 6’8, Slaz has the size to be Jordan Nwora lite for the next several seasons, giving the Cards a unique lineup on the perimeter.

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These taller lineups won’t be possible without an offseason addition of a center. If not, Malik Williams will be handling the five spot all season. Any lineup for Louisville next season will look much different than this past season. Chris Mack might end up adding another guy or two not mentioned, making this conversation even more interesting.

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