Louisville vs. Kentucky: Keys to the matchup between the Cardinals and Wildcats
By Andy Harrell
Which team has the advantage from beyond the arc?
Louisville shoots a very respectable 36% from the 3 point line with 8 players of its 10 man rotation able to shoot the three with consistency. The Wildcats are the 17th worst team at defending the three-point line in the country and are the 2nd worst among Power 5 conference teams, allowing a nearly 39% conversion rate to opponents.
While Kentucky’s 3 point shooting is statistically almost even with that of Louisville as a whole Kentucky has more of and individual problem on defense. Who do they key on? Louisville has 8 players who are better than 32% from the 3 point line on the season and 6 of that group are shooting 37% or better on top of that, defensively the Cards guard the 3 point line nearly 5% better than Kentucky.
The game beyond the arch should be a bit of a one-sided affair. John Calipari’s Wildcats will have to stay on top of switches and hedges and the 3 point line and not give any space to Louisville’s guards. Sophomore’s Jordan Nwora and Darius Perry, and Junior Ryan McMahon are able to wreak havoc on slouching defenses and they certainly will, in their home environment, if given the opportunity.