Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: 8 takeaways from first month of 2018-19

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Jon Teske #15 and teammates Charles Matthews #1 and Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate a win over the North Carolina Tar Heels at Crisler Center on November 28, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated North Carolina Tar Heels 84-67. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 28: Jon Teske #15 and teammates Charles Matthews #1 and Zavier Simpson #3 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate a win over the North Carolina Tar Heels at Crisler Center on November 28, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan defeated North Carolina Tar Heels 84-67. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 27: Ryan McMahon #30 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates during the 82-78 OT win over the Michigan State Spartans at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 27: Ryan McMahon #30 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates during the 82-78 OT win over the Michigan State Spartans at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

3) Louisville will be a dangerous team in the NCAA Tournament

No one really knew what to expect from Louisville in their first year under new head coach Chris Mack. The hope was that they’d return to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year absence but that is no longer a question.

Barring a meltdown, the Cardinals will be in the tournament – and will be extremely dangerous once they get there.

Following close losses to Tennessee and Marquette last week, the Cardinals picked up a marquee win (something they were unable to do last year) by beating Michigan State in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. They then followed that up with a true road win over Seton Hall on Saturday, another result that should end up being a Quadrant 1 victory.

Jordan Nwora (16.4 ppg) has stepped up to become the go-to offensive threat this group needed and they’re getting contributions from everyone. All but one player in the rotation averages at least 6.3 points per game.

Louisville has quickly adopted Mack’s patented toughness and is improving defensively every game. That’s a recipe that will make them a team no one will want to face late in the season.