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Louisville Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Cardinals

By Jerran Anderson

The new image of the cardinal mascot dunking has been completed on the floor of the U of L basketball practice facility on Floyd Street. May 15, 2019T9i1136 Uofl Logo
The new image of the cardinal mascot dunking has been completed on the floor of the U of L basketball practice facility on Floyd Street. May 15, 2019T9i1136 Uofl Logo /
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Louisville Basketball Jae’Lyn Withers As 4019 Louisville Live Hoops429
Louisville Basketball Jae’Lyn Withers As 4019 Louisville Live Hoops429 /

Projected starting lineup

Point Guard – Mason Faulkner, Grad. Student

Mason Faulkner is one new face that will shape the backcourt in 2021-22 for Louisville basketball as a grad. transfer out of Western Carolina. He put up 17.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 5.5 apg and 1.2 spg from 2019-21 for the Catamounts.

He’ll improve their playmaking and scoring much like Carlik Jones did in his lone season with the Cardinals this past year. He’s a speedy 6-foot-1 guard that can knock down shots on the perimeter as well.

Guard – Noah Locke, Senior

Noah Locke is set to vastly improve the 3-point shooting prowess as the second guard in the backcourt for Louisville basketball this season. He’s another transfer out of Florida, where he spent the past three seasons reigning supreme on the perimeter.

Locke shot the ball 40.3 percent from 2018-21 for the Gators in SEC basketball, while averaging 10.1 ppg and 2.4 rpg across 92 appearances (79 starts). His presence will boost the scoring attack off the ball.

Wing/Guard – Dre Davis, Soph.

Dre Davis returns set to take over the swingman position after faring well in his debut season in 2020-21. He produced 7.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg and 1.1 apg while showing off his ability to be a presence on the offensive glass and attack the basket.

Davis is a versatile prospect that’s due for more minutes after finishing third on the team in offensive rebounds (34). As he improves his shooting on the perimeter, look for his usage to rise.

Forward – Jae’Lyn Withers, Soph.

Jae’Lyn Withers is probably the breakout candidate of the group. He returns after posting 10.0 ppg and 7.7 rpg and shooting 38.1 percent (8-of-21) from behind the arc and being the only player to start in all 20 games in 2020-21.

Withers returns with a lot of promise after posting three double-doubles all in ACC basketball action. He’ll look to pick up where he left off with a full offseason and preseason under his belt to prepare.

Forward/Center – Malik Williams, Senior

Malik Williams returns for another year after being sidelined due to a right foot injury that he re-injured.  Through three games, he was finding his stride, putting up 5.0 ppg and 6.0 rpg before getting hurt in January. He’ll look to bounce back as the anchor in the paint for this experienced group of starters.

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