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NCAA Basketball: Every conference’s biggest surprise and disappointment for 2018-19

By Joey Loose

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates the play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 08: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders celebrates the play against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second half during the 2019 NCAA men's Final Four National Championship game at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 08, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 12: Chris Mack the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to Christen Cunningham #1 against the Duke Blue Devils at KFC YUM! Center on February 12, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – FEBRUARY 12: Chris Mack the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to Christen Cunningham #1 against the Duke Blue Devils at KFC YUM! Center on February 12, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

ACC

Biggest Surprise (Louisville)

Chris Mack was hired away from Xavier to pick up the pieces for this Cardinals program, and he exceeded expectations in his first year with Louisville. The media predicted 11th place for the Cardinals, still reeling from the scandal involving Rick Pitino. Not only did Louisville tie for 6th in the ACC, but they made the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals won 20 games, including Michigan State and road games at North Carolina and Virginia Tech.

Related Story. Way-too-early ACC power rankings. light

The season ended in the first round of the Tournament, and this team definitely struggled in February, but it’s a sign of good things to come in Louisville. Jordan Nwora became a stud and will star for this team if he doesn’t head to the NBA draft. Expect Mack to rebuild this team pretty quickly with solid recruiting and don’t be surprised to see the Cardinals making Tournament runs on a regular basis in a couple of years.

Biggest Disappointment (Notre Dame)

It’s understandable to excuse a poor season for injuries, and losing Rex Pflueger certainly didn’t help matters. Mike Brey’s 19th year in South Bend was a complete disappointment. There was poor shooting all year, especially from TJ Gibbs, who couldn’t quite pick up the pieces after Pflueger’s injury. There was the home loss to Radford in November or the close game against winless Coppin State in December. This team finished at 14-19, in last place in the ACC, and could beat only Boston College and Georgia Tech in conference play.

Notre Dame was picked to finish 9th this season, so they weren’t expected to be world beaters, but the way this season transpired is just inexcusable. The team should finally be healthy next season, but they simply didn’t compete in the ACC this year. Offense has always been a strong suit for Brey’s teams and it was a big struggle this year. The future isn’t grim for the Fighting Irish, though Brey is three years removed from back-to-back Elite Eights at this point. They need shooters, and for the shooters to stay healthy.

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