bearcat jeff
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- Feb 24, 2010
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Well it's finally here! Both teams come in on a roll with both overcoming personnel and roster issues.
Louisville is now using Luke Hancock at the 4 and since the move their offense has taken off. They shoot nearly 38% from the three point line and get to the ft line at a high rate. With 5 players averaging double figures, the Bearcat defense better come ready to play.
Guys like Kevin Johnson and Jermaine Sanders will be huge off the bench. Troy Caupain needs to hold serve against Terry Rozier and GG has to keep Chris Jones in check. The SK/Russ Smith match up will be huge and probably the one on the perimeter most people watch. Smith averages 18 ppg but also over 4 apg.
Inside, outside of guard penetration, Montrezl Harrell is the man. At 6'8" and 235 lbs, with loads of athleticism he is a match up nightmare if Justin Jackson isn't available. If JJ can't go Titus Rubles will likely get the call. Harrell averages 12 ppg and 8.5 rebounds and just 2.2 fouls. He makes 62% of his shots because most of them are dunks. He, like Jackson, does not shoot well from the ft line. Well over half his rebounds are of the offensive variety so it is imperative to box him out when Louisville drives to the basket.
To me this game will come down to 4 things. Turnovers (Russ Smith is prone to turn the ball over), Limiting Louisville from 3 and the ft line, not allowing offensive rebounds, and not letting Luke Hancock to go off.
Whoever guards Hancock (Rubles or Sanders) cannot allow him to get free. The Louisville offense goes to a whole new dimension when he is scoring at will.
On offense UC can't turn the ball over and allow Louisville to run out for easy points. If they do it could turn into a blowout. They need 2 guys beside SK to score double figures and the bench needs to produce.
Thomas again will be an X factor. His length and athleticism make him a match up problem for Louisville. Caupain and Sanders need to be productive off the bench and Kevin Johnson needs to lock down on defense.
Overall I think these teams match up well. The game will come down to a couple things and I think it will be a battle. Frankly, I think the team with less turnovers, who makes their ft's and gets bench scoring will win. No way in my opinion JJ doesn't play. How effective can he be? It's always a tough task to win at the Yum. I have to give Louisville the edge but with both teams having key people gone I think UC matches up very well. It will all come down to execution.
Louisville is now using Luke Hancock at the 4 and since the move their offense has taken off. They shoot nearly 38% from the three point line and get to the ft line at a high rate. With 5 players averaging double figures, the Bearcat defense better come ready to play.
Guys like Kevin Johnson and Jermaine Sanders will be huge off the bench. Troy Caupain needs to hold serve against Terry Rozier and GG has to keep Chris Jones in check. The SK/Russ Smith match up will be huge and probably the one on the perimeter most people watch. Smith averages 18 ppg but also over 4 apg.
Inside, outside of guard penetration, Montrezl Harrell is the man. At 6'8" and 235 lbs, with loads of athleticism he is a match up nightmare if Justin Jackson isn't available. If JJ can't go Titus Rubles will likely get the call. Harrell averages 12 ppg and 8.5 rebounds and just 2.2 fouls. He makes 62% of his shots because most of them are dunks. He, like Jackson, does not shoot well from the ft line. Well over half his rebounds are of the offensive variety so it is imperative to box him out when Louisville drives to the basket.
To me this game will come down to 4 things. Turnovers (Russ Smith is prone to turn the ball over), Limiting Louisville from 3 and the ft line, not allowing offensive rebounds, and not letting Luke Hancock to go off.
Whoever guards Hancock (Rubles or Sanders) cannot allow him to get free. The Louisville offense goes to a whole new dimension when he is scoring at will.
On offense UC can't turn the ball over and allow Louisville to run out for easy points. If they do it could turn into a blowout. They need 2 guys beside SK to score double figures and the bench needs to produce.
Thomas again will be an X factor. His length and athleticism make him a match up problem for Louisville. Caupain and Sanders need to be productive off the bench and Kevin Johnson needs to lock down on defense.
Overall I think these teams match up well. The game will come down to a couple things and I think it will be a battle. Frankly, I think the team with less turnovers, who makes their ft's and gets bench scoring will win. No way in my opinion JJ doesn't play. How effective can he be? It's always a tough task to win at the Yum. I have to give Louisville the edge but with both teams having key people gone I think UC matches up very well. It will all come down to execution.
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