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NCAA Basketball: Key early-season tournament games for 2021-22 season

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 20: Jahvon Quinerly #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts in the first round game against the Iona Gaels in the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 20, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 20: Jahvon Quinerly #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts in the first round game against the Iona Gaels in the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 20, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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NCAA Basketball Jae’Lyn Withers Louisville Cardinals (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
NCAA Basketball Jae’Lyn Withers Louisville Cardinals (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Louisville versus Mississippi State

This should be not just an interesting game but an entertaining match-up, due to the number of familiar faces in different places. The Bulldogs had six players transfer, with Abdul Ado being the sole starter among them. The loss of second-leading scorer D.J Stewart (16 ppg) will be the loss felt the most, but will be softened by the arrival of four incoming transfers that will contribute, two of which will do so in the starting line-up.

Even as the injury to Tolu Smith will keep him sidelined until after this match-up, North Carolina transfer Garrison Brooks (10.2 ppg) could spend time at center which would allow Memphis transfer D.J Jefferies (10 ppg) to start at power forward. It will be interesting to see if Coach Ben Howland chooses to experiment with Michigan State transfer Rocket Watts at point guard or go with North Carolina State transfer Shakeel Moore.

In their own right, Louisville will welcome five new arrivals, highlighted by Noah Locke from Florida and Marshall transfer Jarrod West who will form the Cardinals’ new backcourt. West will be directly responsible for taking the point guard position for the graduated leading scorer Carlik Jones as Locke will hope to supplement some of second-leading scorer David Johnson’s points.

Next. Top 50 impact transfers for 2021-22. dark

As Jae’lyn Wither and Malik Williamson return, the frontcourt remains talented and with transfers Matt Cross and EJ Ellis coming off the bench, head coach Chris Mack might be able to stretch his roster up to ten players averaging double-digits.