What the impending return of Malik Williams means

During the 2020-21 season, Louisville basketball has been without one of their three best players the entire year in center Malik Williams. Because of that, a sort of domino effect has taken shape that has required a player such as Jae’lyn Withers to play out of position for the entirety of the 15 games this year.

Williams went down with a foot fracture that required surgery late in the preseason. His estimated return to the floor was slated for12 weeks at the minimum in early November. That puts his comeback date as, well, sometime soon. There’s a lot that goes into any rehab. But a foot can be especially touchy for a number of reasons especially since Williams has had foot problems in the past.

With all of that said, it sounds like a return is coming very soon. Assistant coach Dino Gaudio spoke to the media in head coach Chris Mack’s absence Monday when he alluded to the fact that Williams could be returning to game action soon.

It’s starting with slow with some individual work to get his feet under him while he waits to be cleared for a full-go.

While individual drills seem dull and boring while he still is unable to play, Gaudio confirmed that he is very close to returning.

Obviously, this is awesome news and it could be coming at the perfect time for a team trying to make an ACC and NCAA tournament run.

What does his return mean to the lineup?

First of all, it certainly means lineup reshuffling will be happening. Perhaps Williams begins his return to the court coming off the bench to work game minutes in. But at one point or another he will be in the starting lineup. He’s certainly one of Louisville’s best five players. How might that look? Well…

Williams would slot in at center. That’s obvious. He’s 6’11” and will easily slide in as the Cardinals’ best interior option on both ends of the floor. Louisville’s two guards are solidly Carlik Jones and David Johnson. Then come the difficult decisions.

The three of Jae’Lyn Withers, Samuell Williamson, and Dre Davis have all had their moments this season. But, with only two more spots in the lineup remaining, one has to at least start the game off the bench.

My best guess is that odd man out is Samuell Williamson. Williamson has seemingly found his stride coming off the bench as a sixth man. Most recently putting up a 20 point, 18-rebound performance against Georgia Tech. The “demotion” from starting lineup to the bench has lit a fire under him and his effort and aggression has increased a ton.

Dre Davis has been a significant asset as a freshman this year and has started every single game this season. His value as a defender and the fact that Mack has not sat him despite some rough performances is telling.

Withers has played inconsistently in his first year, but he’s playing completely out of position at center. Slotting him in at power forward makes a ton of sense.

What does Malik Williams provide on the floor?

He’s an elite defender off the pick-and-roll. He can switch and run with guards to the paint or hedge at the three-point line and sprint back to the paint to the “roller.”

Williams provides a level of interior presence defensively that the Cardinals simply don’t have on the roster outside of him at this point.

Offensively, his ability to “pick and slip” is very good. Players of similar stature have issues keeping up with Williams’ foot speed and that alone causes issues for defenders. He’s shown some ability to shoot from the three and midrange areas. But that part of his game remains a work in progress even as a senior.

Getting Williams back is a huge deal for this team. His return marks a significant shift in how this team and individual players react on the floor. It’s coming sooner than later at this point.

Malik Williams is a big-time difference maker for the Cardinals.