Wisconsin vs Louisville: 5 biggest storylines for 2020-21 clash

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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Malik Williams Louisville Cardinals (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Playing a top 25 team with injuries

The major reason why Head Coach Chris Mack had trouble stopping Seton Hall in the paint is due to not having senior team captain 6’11 Malik Williams. Even if the Badgers are unable to have Potter and Reuvers on the court at the same time, whoever is on, will have the advantage in the paint. A situation that Coach Mack’s frontcourt did not face in three of their first four games.

There is no denying that No. 12 Wisconsin is a huge step up from Evansville, Prairie View, and Western Kentucky, thus Louisville’s other two injuries will be highlighted as well. Senior transfer 6’4 Charles Minlend averaged 14.4 points last season with San Francisco, he is expected to miss at least two more weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee.

Once you add the questionable status of the aforementioned Samuell Williamson who has missed the last two games due to a toe injury, Coach Mack’s seven-man rotation may be down to just six players who get double-digit minutes. This is all compounded by the fact they will be playing the No. 12 ranked team in the country in their first game since Dec.1, 2020, when they shut down basketball activities.

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