Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball Power Rankings: Ole Miss climbs, North Carolina dips

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Kermit Davis of the Mississippi Rebels is seen during the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on November 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Kermit Davis of the Mississippi Rebels is seen during the game against the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse on November 16, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – JANUARY 06: Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – JANUARY 06: Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

25. Louisville Cardinals

Record: 11-5 (2-1 ACC)

Last Week: Not Ranked

The Cardinals, despite a rather unimpressive record, find their place in the top-25+ rankings this week thanks to an elite strength of schedule. Additionally, head coach Chris Mack’s team recorded its biggest week of the year by going on the road and taking down North Carolina. Sure, the team may have also suffered a loss to Pittsburgh earlier in the week but that win was strong enough to push the team into my national rankings.

To this point in the year, it is very reasonable to say that Coach Mack has done a great job in his first year with the program. Despite playing only two seniors significant minutes, this team plays with poise and determination each night as the offensive unit has turned into one of the most efficient in the land. Louisville gets to the free throw line at a ridiculously high rate and also connects on the majority of those attempts. When this team is hitting on all cylinders, as we saw against North Carolina, they can be extremely tough to beat.

From a statistical standpoint, sophomore forward Jordan Nwora has been the man for this team. At 17.3 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, he has been the clear leader of the team so far this season. Additionally, the roster is full of legitimate threats to bury 3-pointers. Most notably, Nwora (39.6%) and senior Christen Cunningham (46.2%) lead the way in this category.

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