Louisville vs. Western Kentucky: 3 storylines to watch for 2020-21 matchup

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - FEBRUARY 08: Samuell Williamson #10, Aidan Igehon #22 and Quinn Slazinski #11 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts to their team defeating the Virginia Cavaliers during the final minuets of the game at KFC YUM! Center on February 08, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

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Charles Bassey Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

The battle of the big men may very well decide the game

Louisville may get more national praise for it, but they are not the only team in this matchup with premier talent. Charles Bassey is the highest recruit in his class (2018) left in the college basketball landscape.

Sandro Mamukelashvili, of Seton Hall, had a very effective performance against Louisville on November 27th. He finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds on 8/17 shooting. Mamukelashvili has a similar skillset as Bassey, as two big men that can also pop out and hit a jumper.

With how effective Sandro was against Louisville’s interior, one can only imagine that Bassey can expect just as good, if not better success. Louisville will have to game plan better for Bassey than they did for Mamukelashvili. Whether it be Williamson, Dre Davis, or Aidan Igiehon, the Cardinals will have to be tougher down low.

On the opposite side of the court, Jae’Lyn Withers and Williamson combine for right around 25 points per contest. Withers has a good looking long-range stroke and is the second-highest rebounder on the team. Carson Williams will likely be tasked with guarding Withers, which could be a matchup that favors the Cardinals. Bassey is a former Defensive POY in Conference USA and should be able to contain whoever Louisville matches him up with for the most part.

There are high volume, talented guards on both sides of the ball for both teams. This only increases the importance of who wins the battle down in the trenches. Who wins the battle on the glass could be a significant indicator of the final outcome of this one.