Busting Brackets
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Louisville Basketball: 2018-19 keys for the Cardinals against NC State

By Jason Burgess

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Steven Enoch #23 of the Louisville Cardinals and Dwayne Sutton #24 react during the first half of the game against Marquette Golden Eagles at the NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament at Barclays Center on November 23, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 23: Steven Enoch #23 of the Louisville Cardinals and Dwayne Sutton #24 react during the first half of the game against Marquette Golden Eagles at the NIT Season Tip-Off Tournament at Barclays Center on November 23, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 12: Steven Enoch #23 of the Louisville Cardinals takes a rebound away from Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on January 12, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Louisville won 83-62. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 12: Steven Enoch #23 of the Louisville Cardinals takes a rebound away from Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on January 12, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Louisville won 83-62. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

2. The Cardinals must limit their turnovers against N.C. State

Kevin Keatts has become a rising star in the coaching ranks and N.C. State made a home run of a hire when they grabbed him from UNC-Wilmington. In his one year plus at the school, the Wolfpack have won 37 games, this season they have been great offensively, but they have also been very good at creating turnovers for that offense. The 17.61 turnovers they force is the best among ACC teams and the 10th highest number in the sport, and with a +4.3 turnover margin, they have the 14th best number in that category. Thus far in league play, however, they have forced 13.4 turnovers per game, a number that would put them in the bottom third of the conference.

Currently, the Cardinals rank 94th in the country, committing just over 12 turnovers per game, in order to come away with a home victory Louisville will have to do a good job at limiting their turnovers. League play hasn’t changed those numbers at all as they commit an identical 12.4 per game. A big reason for limiting turnovers is it will limit extra possessions for N.C. State and hinder their ability to get out and run. Nwora, Cunningham and guard Darius Perry account for 5.5 of those 12 turnovers, if those three can stay under that average, Louisville will have a better shot at a home win.

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