Big Red Louie
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One team I’d like to see Louisville basketball play from each conference

By Jacob Lane

Dec 16, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Memphis Tigers forward Jimario Rivers (2) defends against Louisville Cardinals guard Quentin Snider (4) in the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Memphis Tigers forward Jimario Rivers (2) defends against Louisville Cardinals guard Quentin Snider (4) in the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 2, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Chris Mack (left) shakes hands with Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Mick Cronin (right) at the end of the game at the Cintas Center. Xavier won 89-76. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Xavier Musketeers head coach Chris Mack (left) shakes hands with Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Mick Cronin (right) at the end of the game at the Cintas Center. Xavier won 89-76. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports /

Pac 12: UCLA

This will never willingly happen, let me start off this slide by saying that. Chris Mack and Mick Cronin do not like each other whatsoever, so what that means is the only way we get this game is likely in an NCAA Tournament setting.

Regardless, I’d love to see Louisville and UCLA play in 2020. Both teams have a ton of promise and potential heading into the season, mostly due to the myriad of young players. For UCLA, they’ll have more experience thanks to veterans like Prince Ali, Tyger Campbell, Chris Smith and others returning, yet they still will be working in a bunch  of new players.

It all starts with Peyton Watson, a five star-forward who is a potential one-and-done player, who was one of two top high schoolers to pick Cronin and UCLA this offseason (Daishen Nix will suit up in the NBA G-League after originally signing an LOI). He’s joined by four-star big man Will McClendon as well as highly-coveted Kentucky transfer Johnny Juzang, whom the NCAA ruled eligible earlier this fall.

On the other side Louisville will be working in multiple new players, including Carlik Jones, Charles Minlend Jr., JJ Traynor, and Dre Davis while getting adjusted to being led by Malik Williams, David Johnson, and Sam Williamson rather than mainstays Jordan Nwora, Steven Enoch, and Dwayne Sutton.

The fact that the coaches hate each other would be enough to make this game intriguing, but when you consider the history of UCLA/Louisville with Denny Crum it’s a perfect matchup.

Still, never happening.

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