Louisville basketball offense is becoming a real threat in the ACC because when they are able to play their pace and speed, they are not only a threat in the ACC Tournament, but a threat to make a run in March.
Star guard Chucky Hepburn appeared to tweak something on a layup against Boston College, and Cardinals fans panicked. However, this Pat Kelsey squad picked up the work load and proved that this team's depth is the real deal.
The Cardinals brought in 13 transfers in the offseason, and their chemistry is gelling at the perfect time. Louisville basketball has won 17 games this season and by a total of 300 points, which is by an average of 17.7 points per game and they are scoring an average of 79 points per game.
While Chucky Hepburn is the heart of this offense, Cardinals showed that this team can overcome adversity and has playmakers up and down the roster.
Pat Kelsey's 'extremely dangerous' Louisville basketball team
UofL is averaging over 10 threes a game which is second in the ACC, and are starting to unveil their true identity. Louisville hit nine threes from six different players, and their ability to shoot from long range allows them to go on momentum runs, and dominant their opponents.
Cardinals are demonstrating their balance attack on the offense and defense and it is leading to results. Louisville has won 11 of last 12, and while Hepburn is the face and star of this team, last nights win proved that Pat Kelsey has a well-balanced roster and they have the ability to score quick and be "extremely dangerous."
"We go on runs it is usually because we are stringing a bunch of stops together." Pat Kelsey stated in his press conference. "We are an extremely dangerous offensive team with a lot of weapons that can score and beat you in a lot of different ways."
Louisville basketball has proved they have an elite balance attack all year, as they have five players averaging 10 points or more per game. Terrence Edwards Jr. (14.1), Reyne Smith (13.7), J'Vonne Hadley (12.3), and Kasean Pryor (12) are behind Chucky Hepburn (15) in leading scorers for the Cardinals.
All five starters scored for Louisville in last win, and six of the nine players who saw action connected on a deep ball. Despite Hepburn not being on the floor, Cardinals were able to dominate all phases of the game.
Louisville basketball was led by J'Vonne Hadley and Terrence Edwards Jr. as they combined for 41 of the Cardinals 84 points. Aboubacar Traore came off the bench and added valuable minutes as he had nine points in 15 minutes and went 4-4 from the field.
The Cardinals balance attack has led to dominant wins all season long as their top five wins haven’t been just snuck by wins, they have blown these elite teams out the water. UofL beat Indiana by 28, West Virginia by nine, North Carolina by 13, Clemson by 10 and SMU by 25. Which means the Cardinals five quality wins, which ranks ninth in the nation, is by an average score of 17 points.
This Louisville basketball team needs Chucky Hepburn for a deep March Madness run, but last nights game helped Pat Kelsey realize that his team is one of the more balanced teams in the nation, and can overcome adversity.
Louisville will take on Miami on ESPN, Feb. 8 at 2 p.m. local time from KFC Yum! Center.