Louisville Basketball: 2017-2018 Cardinals season preview
Louisville Overview
Louisville has effectively reloaded and has created a talented and balanced roster from top to bottom. Their strength lies in their group of wings which gives the Cardinals versatility to play different lineups. Deng Adel can slide to the four in smaller lineups without Louisville having to worry about being exposed inside and VJ King can use his size to their advantage, at the two, in bigger lineups.
The Cardinals also have a strong group of interior players led by senior Anas Mahmoud. Between Mahmoud on the interior and the collection of long wing defenders, Louisville will undoubtedly have a strong defense.
Louisville has a legitimate chance to win the ACC regular season, but I have them finishing second behind Duke. It is hard to pick against a roster as talented as Duke’s, but Louisville will give them a close race. Louisville and Duke are in their own tier in the ACC as there is a significant margin between them and teams like UNC, Miami, Notre Dame, and Virginia who are all packed into the back half of the top 25.
Nationally, I have Louisville as the No. 5 best team, only behind Arizona, Duke, Kansas, and Michigan St. When analyzing this Louisville team, it is clear that the Cardinals will be a major factor in both the ACC race and the national championship race.
Louisville fans should be extremely optimistic about this group and, with a strong 2018 recruiting class already taking shape, the future looks just as bright.