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Indiana vs. Louisville: Game preview, prediction, TV schedule

By Tristan Freeman

BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 29: Indiana Hoosiers players react from the bench in the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils at Assembly Hall on November 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. Duke won 91-81. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 29: Indiana Hoosiers players react from the bench in the second half of a game against the Duke Blue Devils at Assembly Hall on November 29, 2017 in Bloomington, Indiana. Duke won 91-81. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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In most seasons, this would be a premium non-conference game between two powerhouse programs. However, both the Indiana Hoosiers and the Louisville Cardinals have taken a step back after each going through coaching changes — albeit for different reasons. Which first-year head coach gets the win this Saturday?

TV schedule: Saturday, December 9, 2:00 p.m. ET. ESPN

Arena: KFC YUM! Center in Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville (5-2) came into this week unranked after losing a pair of games to both Seton Hall and Purdue. It was the first setback for new Cardinals’ head coach David Padgett, who was named interim coach after Rick Pitino was abruptly fired due to the fallout of the FBI corruption probe.

This week, Louisville had to deal with Siena for a half, only having a three-point lead after 20 minutes. Ultimately, the Cardinals pulled away thanks to a breakout game by big man Anas Mahmoud, who was just one block away from a triple double with 17 points, 13 rebounds and nine rejections. Quentin Snider also chipped in with 16 points.

The two of them are part of six guys who average between 7.0-9.7 ppg for the early season. Junior Deng Adel isn’t one of them, as he’s elevated his game to the tune of 16.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 3.0 apg.

The Cardinals may have a different coach, but still maintains their defensive tenacity on the court. They’ll need it against an Indiana program 5-4 (1-1) that’s been surprising in its efforts under former Dayton Flyer coach Archie Miller.

After competing hard against Duke, they split their conference openers, losing at Michigan before beating Iowa at home. Leading scorer for the team Juwan Morgan once again stepped up for the Hoosiers, scoring 15 in the bout. The difference for the Hoosiers was the bench, where Collin Hartman and Devante Green combined for 25 points in the victory. Besides Morgan, fellow upperclassmen Robert Johnson (12.7 ppg) and De’Ron Davis (11.2 ppg) also average in double figures for the team.

For Indiana, most of the production comes from the frontcourt, which plays right into the hands of Louisville. Between Adel, Mahmoud, and guys like Spalding and VJ King, their size and wingspan makes it difficult for opposing teams to operate down low. If Indiana can’t shoot over them, it could be a long one.

Next: Big Ten power rankings Nov 26-Dec 3

On the flip side, the Hoosiers have struggled defensively, ranked in the bottom third in most categories. Even for a team like Louisville that can sometimes be offensively challenged, they’ll be able to counter it with their size advantage in the post. With the game also being played away from Bloomington, it’ll be low scoring, but not a nail bitter.

Prediction: Louisville 72 – Indiana 58

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