Louisville vs. Texas Tech: Biggest storylines for 2019-20 matchup

2. Louisville’s defense has been standout this season

The No. 1 team in the country has a reputation as being an offensive team that is very comfortable playing in the 70s and 80s and they have loved up to that reputation so far this season, but it’s the defense of Mack’s Cardinals that has stuck out to me this year. If they can continue to play strong defense to go along with that offense that can score with any team in the country, Louisville will be a tough out for anyone going forward.

The Cardinals are a strong offensive team that has averaged 77 points per game in their nine victories and are the top team in the KenPom rankings and also rank 4th in adjusted offense. They have three players averaging double figures and are shooting 49.6% as a field, with just one rotation player, Fresh Kimble shooting below 45%.

Defensively they have been even more impressive, allowing over 70 points just twice so far this season, just 57.5 on average and gave up just 43 to Michigan who had jumped from unranked to 4th in the country including just 18 in the first half, as they did a fantastic job keeping Zavier Simpson out of the paint and holding him to just nine points and three assists, he had not registered fewer than six prior to the meeting with Louisville. As good as their offense has been, the Louisville Cardinals’ defense has been even better and that bodes well for their chances to do well come tournament time.