Louisville basketball is coming off a heartbreaking loss to North Carolina this past Monday on the road and is looking to get back in the win column against Clemson this afternoon. Pat Kelsey's squad has lost two of its last three road games against SMU and North Carolina, but came up with the win against Georgia Tech last Saturday.
Louisville needs to get a win against Clemson on the road this weekend to keep trying to improve its seed line in the ACC Tournament and in the NCAA tournament in just a few weeks. The Cards and Tigers showdown has major implications for the ACC Tournament, as both teams sit at 20-8 on the season, but Clemson is one game ahead of Louisville in the ACC standings.
With today having major implications on the Cardinals' postseason, Louisville fans are quickly turning to this one key X-factor to have a breakout performance.
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Khani Rooths is due to have a statement game this afternoon
Clemson has been on a four-game losing streak recently and will look to try to get back in the win column on Saturday. While Pat Kelsey made it clear in yesterday's press conference that this Clemson team is not one to overlook despite its struggles, Louisville fans feel confident that this is a game where Khani Rooths is due for a statement performance.
Rooths is due for a big game, and with Clemson's bigs not being as athletic as the 6-foot-10, 215-pound forward, he is poised to have a big game against Clemson. The true sophomore can be physical down low and has proven he can be a good rebounder on the offensive end, keeping possessions on the Cardinals' side of the floor. Rooths had a three-game stretch going into February in which he scored 10+ points, but hasn't been back to that clip since the game against Wake Forest.
Clemson has some big forwards, but they are not as athletic as they have been in recent seasons. The Tigers come in at No. 337 in the country in pace this season, and Louisville could get ahold of Clemson if they play at that Kelsey fast pace, which could lead to some high-flying dunks from Rooths.
Louisville is in dire need of some physicality from its frontcourt, and Rooths is just the guy who can help the Cardinals out. He establishes a presence in the paint on both ends of the floor and scores 10 points, while also stacking some rebounds.
With all the focus on the 3-point line, Mikel Brown Jr. and Ryan Conwell, Rooths is due for a monster game. All eyes are on Louisville this afternoon, with the Cardinals and Tigers battling it out for that 4-seed, Louisville fans can expect a big-time game from Rooths.
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