Louisville basketball's undeniable x-factor proves he will make or break their season

Over the past couple game, Louisville basketball guard Terrence Edwards Jr. dropped some of his best performances of the season against Georgia Tech and Boston College.

Edwards Jr. has been excellent this past month, as he has scored 14 points or more in six of his last seven games. Edwards is 6-foot-6 and 205 pounds, and likes to attack the defense and post the other team guards up on the block, and then creat e space for a short-range shot or kick the ball to an open shooter.

While Hepburn is sidelined for the future, Pat Kelsey and Louisville basketball are going to need a lot out of him not just to score, but to find the opening teammate. Edwards playmaking ability showed up big time in Hepburn's absence, and is proving his unlimited potential for this Cardinals team.

Hepburn leads the Cardinals in points with 15 points per game and he leads the ACC in assists per game with 6.2, which meant Terrence Edwards Jr. has to step up and he is doing just that.

Edwards Jr. showed why Louisville basketball must feed him early

In the first half alone, Edwards finished with 15 points while shooting 6-9 from the field, and 2-2 from beyond the arc, and he showed Pat Kelsey exactly why he needs to touch the ball early on in games. Edwards is improving his court vision, and shot selection, and is showing why he is too good of a playmaker to not get involved right from tipoff.

His ability to drive in the lane and knock down open shots spaces the whole floor for Louisville basketball, and it make the opponents defense concern when he is on the court. Edwards clearly demonstrated to Kelsey that he is more than capable of helping carry the offensive load.

Pat Kelsey needs to draw some open looks for Edwards or keep calling his number even when Chucky Hepburn returns. Louisville basketball must continue to find ways to get him the ball moving forward, and allow his to drive through the pain and either distribute the rock or shot fake and make a easy shot-range floater.

Edwards Jr. averages 14 points on 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assits per game. In the first half the Cardinals guard finished with 15 points, four rebounds, and five assists. Pat Kelsey must find creative ways to get Edwards involved in the offense and engaged when Chucky Hepburn returns. Feeding Edwards the ball at the beginning of games will free up Chucky Hepburn and Reyne Smith, and that allows Edwards to pick apart the defense with his outstanding playmaking.

Terrence Edwards Jr. is showing his unlimited potential and skill on the offensive side without Chucky Hepburn in the lineup. Not only can Edwards score the ball at will, he is also proving he can distribute the ball, find the open teammate and lead this Cardinals team to victories.

Edwards recent domination has helped guide the Cardinals to win 11 of their last 12 and hopefully takes them to a deep postseason run. If Louisville fans want to watch their Cardinals in late March, Terrence Edwards Jr is their undeniable x-factor to help guide them to the promise land.