Louisville basketball: 3 players to watch for Pitt

Jr. G Xavier Johnson

Another good athlete to add to the mix for Pitt. Xavier Johnson is one of the better point guards in the ACC. He is best as a slashing scorer (similar to Toney and Chamagnie).

Johnson is a ridiculous acrobat around the rim and has very good speed. Now, he is not the most natural of point guards which could cause the team issues when he is the primary ball handler (which is a lot).

He also struggles to shoot from distance in year three. Johnson is a quick, bulky guard that wants to use his 6’3″ frame to drive to the basket and he is very good at doing it.

Along with the rest of the Panthers, Johnson does very well to convert on easy buckets in transition off of steals and quick outlet opportunities.

Louisville will have to keep Johnson out of the lane if they want to win their first ACC game of the year.

Johnson is averaging 15.2 points, 6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in 2020.

Overall

If the Cardinals want to take down Pitt, it has to be a very simple game plan. The Louisville pack-line defense has got to keep these three elite athletes out of the lane. That is what Chris Mack’s pack line defensive style specializes in and, if properly executed, that is exactly what should happen on Tuesday.

The three aforementioned players are going to be a serious handful for the Cardinals. But proper execution and a lot of compete on the glass against Champagnie and company should set up well for a Louisville win in this one.

Louisville could steal all of the momentum in their favor heading into the Kentucky matchup with a win in this one.