Louisville basketball's glaring weakness could flip the script against Clemson

The Louisville basketball team will travel to Clemson to take on the Tigers today in what is a huge game for both teams. The Cardinals and the Tigers are both 20-8 on the season, but with Clemson one game ahead of Louisville in the ACC standings, there are major implications on the line for the double bye in the ACC Tournament

Louisville has lost two of its last three, and is now 0-7 against Quad 1A teams. Louisville has a few glaring weaknesses right now, including a road record of 1-6 against quality teams, but another concerning weakness is its frontcourt.

The Cards frontcourt has been an area many would consider their weakness, but looking ahead to this afternoon's game, that shouldn't be the case. Louisville's frontcourt should be the Tigers kryptonite, and the Cards usual weakness is poised to be its strength this afternoon.

Louisville basketball fans can expect a big-time game from Cardinals frontcourt

Louisville's frontcourt has to play physical this afternoon if the Cardinals want to win. With Pat Kelsey fired up about the outside noise, don't be surprised if he gets this frontcourt ready for a physical road game and has this group poised to take over.

Brad Brownell's team has lost four straight, and a glaring area Louisville has to attack is the paint. The Cardinals have to get more paint touches this afternoon and outscore the Tigers in the paint early on, so that leads to Louisville's best basketball, which is getting open looks beyond the arc in transition.

Louisville has been one of the fastest teams in all of college basketball and will run and gun if you try to play at their pace. With the Tigers trying to slow the game down, Louisville will get the ball out quickly and move in transition. Players like Fru and Rooths will be crucial this afternoon, as they need to dominate the paint on both ends and secure rebounds so the Cards can push the ball out to their guards and get open transition shots.

Fru, Rooths, and Khalifa all stand 6-foot-10 or taller, and while these three have had an up-and-down season at times, they have heard the outside noise about the frontcourt, and today is that perfect game for the Cardinals' bigs to take over. Louisville wants to shoot from beyond the arc, but for the Cardinals to be successful, the forwards have to establish physicality first.

Pace, physicality, and pure athleticism will determine if Louisville wins this game against Clemson. Louisville's bigs have to outrebound the Tigers and can't give them multiple opportunities in one possession. If Louisville can make them uncomfortable and play some physical basketball, the Cardinals will win this game and pick up a massive road win.

Louisville will be looking for a huge road win against Clemson to build momentum heading into the ACC tournament and March Madness in just two weeks.

For all the latest news and updates on Louisville basketball's 2025-26 season and recruiting, stay tuned.