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Louisville Basketball: Cardinals a Final Four contender with Lamarr Kimble addition

By Tristan Freeman

SPOKANE, WA - MARCH 20: DeAndre Bembry #43 of the Saint Joseph's Hawks drives up court against Tyler Dorsey #5 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena on March 20, 2016 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WA - MARCH 20: DeAndre Bembry #43 of the Saint Joseph's Hawks drives up court against Tyler Dorsey #5 of the Oregon Ducks in the first half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena on March 20, 2016 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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After overachieving this past season, Louisville Basketball has higher goals for 2019-20. With Lamarr Kimble coming in, could the Cardinals now have Final Four aspirations?

It was a great season for Louisville Basketball under first year head coach Chris Mack. They finished 20-14 (10-8) overall and made the NCAA Tournament as a seven seed before losing to Minnesota in the Round of 64. After the messy situation regarding former head coach Rick Pitino, it was supposed to be a rebuilding situation for the Cardinals. But thanks to breakout years by Jordan Nwora and Dwayne Sutton, the team is set up in great shape for the 2019-20 season.

It’s not a full guarantee with pending NBA Draft decisions but both of those players, along with other key pieces are set to return for next year. Seven of the top eight scorers will be coming back, including the formidable frontcourt of Nwora, Sutton, Steven Enoch and Malik Williams.

Then there’s the top-10 nationally ranked recruiting class Coach Mack has coming in, ranked No. 1 in the ACC over both Duke and UNC. Top-50 prospects Samuell Williamson and Aidan Igiehon lead the way, with guards Josh Nickelberry and David Johnson also joining the fold.

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But neither of them are true point guards, which is the biggest area of need for Louisville. Two of the three departing seniors are Khwan Fore and Christen Cunningham, the primary ball handlers for the Cardinals. Cunningham is the real loss, averaging 10.1 ppg and a team-leading 4.8 apg in 33 mpg. Both of these guys are grad transfers and it looks like they went back to the well for another one.

With around 700 players entering the transfer portal so far, Lamarr Kimble ranks among the best of them. The now former St. Joe’s guard is coming off a good year statistically, averaging a career-high 15.6 ppg and 2.8 rpg on 40% shooting. He can get to the foul line and although his efficiency took a dip, Kimble can be a great scorer when healthy.

“Healthy” is the keyword when it comes to this grad transfer. He missed 10 games this past season with a fractured hand and the entire 2017-18 season with a foot injury. It had a negative effect for the Hawks and if Louisville relies on him for a lot of production, it could come back to haunt them.

But that shouldn’t be the case for the Cardinals, who’ll have plenty of talent around Kimble. Assuming no unexpected departures, the form Hawk will have the best supporting frontcourt he’s ever had and a gluttony of perimeter players to play off of. And Kimble won’t be asked to play 35 mpg with the other guards available, including the freshman Johnson.

Way-too-early preseason top-25. dark. Next

Worst case scenario, Kimble will just be another veteran addition of depth for Louisville Basketball. Best case scenario, he becomes a quality lead guard for team who already had way-too-early top-15 preseason hype. Duke, Virginia and UNC will once again be viewed as the top teams in the ACC. But when it comes to who’s No. 4 and most likely to advance deep, look at the Cardinals to emerge as that next season.

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