North Carolina vs. Louisville: Key storylines for 2019-20 ACC matchup

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 06: Cole Anthony #2 of the North Carolina Tar Heels shoots over Prentiss Hubb #3 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at the Dean Smith Center on November 06, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 76-65. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – JANUARY 07: Jordan Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals during the game against the Miami Hurricanes at KFC YUM! Center on January 07, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. After struggling lately, Jordan Nwora bounced back against Syracuse

Even though Louisville is 22-5 and have won 11 of their last 13 games, coach Chris Mack had been dissatisfied with the team’s start early on in games, and after a 64-58 loss to Georgia Tech in which their Player of the Year candidate Jordan Nwora only played 24 minutes, a number he only failed to reach once since November 17.

In that game, Nwora only attempted six shots and scored just two points. After the game, Mack was struggling to find a way to put a spark in his team while delivering a message at the same time. What he decided was a bit unconventional, he removed Nwora from the starting line up for their next game, a road contest against Clemson.

The tactic was unsuccessful for both the player and the team. The Cardinals found themselves down 18-5 seven minutes into the game and would never recover, suffering a 77-62 loss. In a reserve role, Nwora played 29 minutes and seemed disinterested and went 1-5 from the field (all three-pointers), for five points, he also committed four fouls, something he has only done twice before.

Much like how Anthony and North Carolina look like is a big story for the Tar Heels, Nwora’s recent struggles and how his team responds is a big storyline for the Cardinals.

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