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Louisville Cardinals (Last Year: 29-5, 14-4 in Big East)
2013-14 Projected Depth Chart:
C: Mangok Mathiang (Fr)/Stephan Van Treese (Sr)
PF: Montrezl Harrell (Soph)/Chane Behanan (Jr)/Akoy Agau (Fr)
SF: Wayne Blackshear (Jr)/Ryan Hancock (Sr)
SG: Russ Smith (Sr)/Kevin Ware (Jr)/Anton Gill (Fr)/Tim Henderson (Jr)
PG: Chris Jones (Jr)/Terry Rozier (Fr)
Gone: C-Gorgui Dieng, PG-Peyton Siva, C-Zach Price (transfer-Missouri), SF-Angel Nunez (transfer-Gonzaga)
2013-14 Outlook:
The defending National Champion Louisville Cardinals make the 1-year jump to the American Athletic Conference before heading to the ACC for 2014. Rick Pitino only loses two players from his title team, but the suspension of Chane Behanan and the injury to Luke Hancock leave some concern early in the season.
A 2-year starting power forward, Behanan was suspended last month for a violation of team rules. At first, it appeared as if his future with the program was in jeopardy, but Pitino changed direction and Behanan should be back at some point during the season. It is the when that is unclear.
Without Behanan and Gorgui Dieng, who left early for the NBA Draft; the Cardinals have a new look frontline led by Montrezl Harrell. The 6-8 sophomore developed into a key reserve during Louisville’s championship run, using his athleticism and energy to provide a spark off the bench. Even when Behanan does return, Harrell seems poised for a breakout year especially if his offensive game continues to develop.
Expected to replace Dieng at center is either redshirt freshman Mangok Mathiang or veteran Stephen Van Treese. Mathiang started for the Cardinals in their second exhibition game and is a long, slender, athletic presence in the middle, but he is still a work in progress offensively. Van Treese adds more physicality inside. When Behanan does return, he and Harrell should be in the starting lineup together with Mathiang and Van Treese both coming off the bench. Until that happens, freshman Akoy Agau should see spot minutes as well.
Another question mark for Louisville is the status of last year’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player, Luke Hancock, who is still recovering from an Achilles’ injury that has sidelined him this preseason. It has been reported that Hancock is due back sooner than later, and he is one of the more valuable role players in college basketball because of his leadership, energy, and ability to shoot the three ball.
Hancock will play behind Wayne Blackshear, who hasn’t really lived up to his potential as a former McDonald’s All-American. If Louisville is going to compete for another national title, the team needs Blackshear to take the next step in his game, which he is certainly capable of doing.
Even though the Cardinals lose Peyton Siva, their backcourt is in tremendous shape, especially since Russ Smith chose to return for his senior year. He is a dynamic scoring combo guard who can cause Pitino headaches with some of his questionable shot selection and decision-making, but he is also a sparkplug on both ends of the floor. JUCO transfer Chris Jones will take over for Siva as the point guard. Jones was the junior college Player of the Year and fits perfectly into Pitino’s system due to his quickness in the open floor and ability to smother opponents with his defense.
Freshman Terry Rozier figures to be a key piece off the bench, as could Kevin Ware. It is remarkable that Ware is even playing at this point after the gruesome injury he suffered during last year’s NCAA Tournament. Anton Gill and Tim Henderson could also work their way into the lineup, but minutes will be hard for them to come by with the talented players they are behind on the depth chart.
The health statuses of Behanan and Hancock are vital to the long-term success of the Louisville Cardinals. It is hard to imagine the Cardinals making another deep run in March without those two guys contributing. Luckily, both players should return at some point and with their style of play and stifling defense, Louisville is on track to once again be among the top teams in the country.
Player to Watch: Montrezl Harrell, PF
Possessing an incredible 7-4 wingspan, the 6-8 forward plays much bigger than he is with his explosiveness at the rim and shot-blocking prowess. His role steadily grew last season and that play followed him into the summer where he was a key contributor on the U.S. U-19 team. Harrell is a potential double-double a night guy this season, and if he shows more consistency with his mid-range game, could be a lottery pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Key Non-Conference Games:
Predicted AAC Finish: 1st
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