5. Ability to get to the free-throw line
The talk around this team centers on their ability to shoot the 3-point ball, but it's the way they get to the free-throw line that enables them to shoot so many threes. This will be a severely underrated reason why the Cards will win, but it will be a massive one. This game will be gritty and physical; therefore, a high number of fouls can be expected. With that being said, the Cardinals have been shooting around 75% as a team. That will need to improve, but the volume of free throws will be huge in this game.
Ryan Conwell has been the spearhead of getting to the line for this squad. He has attempted six or more free throws in each of the two contests. There are plenty of other players who can get to the line, such as Mikel Brown Jr., Khani Rooths, and Kobe Rodgers. These guys will be huge in carrying the team through scoring droughts throughout the game and coming up clutch late.
It will be interesting to see how the refs call this game, and that will determine how many touch fouls the Cards get free throws from. Both teams will play a physical brand of basketball, so if the referees do not blow their whistles, the Cardinals will be very familiar with the charity stripe throughout the game. This is not a fancy reason, but Louisville fans will be thankful after the game that their squad came through from the line.