Any team that has the Louisville basketball team on their schedule is not worried about that matchup. Why should they be? The Cardinals have won just 12 games in the last two seasons combined. They went a ghastly 4-28 last year before getting rid of Kenny Payne after just two years.
Those two years are sticking with everyone around college basketball. Most of the teams the Cardinals play are counting that game as a W. The Cardinals are going to work hard to change that mindset and show that they are once again a team to be feared.
In order for them to do that, their most important player has to be at his best. With an entirely new roster, he has to take the reigns of the team early and show that he is the team's best player. That player is Wisconsin transfer Chucky Hepburn and he's Louisville's key guy.
Chucky Hepburn is the Louisville basketball team's most important player
Hepburn transferred to Louisville after three seasons at Wisconsin. He started all three years as a guard and will look to do the same for the Louisville Cardinals this season. He has never averaged over 12 points per game, so his scoring average might take a jump this year.
Hepburn is the type of guy that the Cardinals need because he will be aggressive. He's not afraid out there on the court and he's not afraid to take big shots in big moments. While he's not an overly efficient shooter, his aggressiveness will help get open looks for his teammates.
It's unclear what kind of stats Hepburn will average this season. With an entirely new roster, it's hard to predict what kind of role everyone will have. Hepburn's role is clear though. He is going to be the leader of this squad and he hates to lose. He's going to instill a culture with the rest of this team that is very much needed.