Louisville basketball just picked up their 18th win in their last 19 games and secured their eight-straight win. The Cardinals now improve to 24-6 and 17-2 in the ACC and have just one game remaining before the ACC Tournament.
With the countdown to postseason officially here, Pat Kelsey has to start thinking about lineups, and plays, and what works vs what doesn't work. The Cardinals have been clicking on all cylinders in this win streak, but now that it is postseason and March, the regular season is erased.
Despite Pat Kelsey and Louisville basketball's historic season and dominant win streak in the ACC, there are still some things that they could improve on.
3 key moves Pat Kelsey must make to lead Louisville basketball to ACC Title
This Pat Kelsey team has a lot to prove in the ACC Tournament if they want to try and compete with Cooper Flagg and Duke, but the Cardinals might be just a few moves away from claiming that crown.
Kelsey has been praised by everyone around college basketball for the Cardinals' performance this season, and a deep postseason run would just be the icing on the cake.
Here are two subtle and one obvious moves that Pat Kelsey must make to turn Louisville basketball into legit ACC Title contenders.
3. Subtle: Utilize the small lineup more
Louisville basketball's glaring strength is its ability to shoot from beyond the arc. When Pat Kelsey puts out his small lineup of Chucky Hepburn, Reyne Smith, Terrence Edwards Jr., J'Vonne Hadley, and Khani Rooths, the floor is wide open for playmakers.
James Scott is a vital piece to this team, as his ability to catch lobs on one end and be a crucial rim protector on the other is glaringly important. However, the Cardinals' ability to shoot from deep with this small lineup has often made the game open for Pat Kelsey's squad.
Rooths isn't a three-point shooter by any means, but the freshman's ability to crash the glass on long rebounds is what stands out. Cardinals in this small ball lineup, also use their four guards to either drive and kick to the open shooter, or play freely and get a bucket.
Players like Terrence Edwards Jr. and Chucky Hepburn thrive in this lineup. Once one catches flames, they kick it out to Reyne Smith for an open three. Hadley also then is allowed to back his smaller defender down, like he loves to do, and get an easy bucket.
This lineup is crucial for their four main scorers, and it is worth just to keep going back to it to open up some shots.