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) /

6 of 6

Louisville’s Aidan Igiehon, Samuell Williamson, David Johnson, Josh Nickelberry, Quinn Slazinski and Jae’Lyn Withers.Louisville Basketball 2019 20 /

Louisville has more to gain

The Cardinals need to be excited about this game and recognize how important a victory would be on Saturday. The urgency that the Cardinals should be viewing this match-up will be unmatched by Wisconsin. The Cardinals’ players need to harness this excitement and use it to their advantage in order to provide the motivation that will be void due to the lack of fans.

By virtue of playing out of the Big Ten, playing games versus a ranked opponent will not be uncommon for Wisconsin. With match-ups set versus elite teams such as Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan State, the Badgers will get at least a couple of top 15 wins, and the rest will be quality losses.

The odds are even better that they pick up ‘top 25 wins’ versus Ohio State, Rutgers, and Michigan. Wins and losses versus ranked opponents will be a common occurrence for Wisconsin, and this match-up is just another one prior to conference play beginning on Tuesday.

Next. Key storylines for Gonzaga vs Iowa. dark

Louisville does not have this luxury, playing in a down-trending ACC that has Duke, Clemson, Florida State, and Virginia fighting to either stay in the top 20 or to get there, Louisville’s window to get a win over a top 10 team is small.

Home/Louisville Cardinals