Scouting Report: Louisville Cardinals

   

Kentucky Basketball Scouting Report

 Opponent: University of Louisville  Date: 12/27/14

General

• 4 starters averaging over 12 points per game
• Strong, athletic players; looking more to drive than shoot the 3
• Good defensively; holding teams to 54.4 ppg on 34.4% shooting
• Best team Kentucky has played; 11-0 #4 in the country

Personnel #3        G         Chris Jones: 5’10’’ 175                     SR. Jones acts as one of the primary ball handlers for the Cardinals and uses his strength, quickness, and athleticism to penetrate defenses. He is not a good finisher inside, so we need to do a good job of just being big and not bailing him out by fouling. While he isn’t a great shooter, Jones is one of the most aggressive offensive players and can knock down open 3’s. Averaging 12.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. #0        G         Terry Rozier: 6’1’’ 190                     SO. Rozier had a great freshman season for UofL, earning himself AAC All-Rookie team honors. This season, the talented guard has taken his game to another level, leading the Cardinals in scoring at 16.7 points per game. He is very athletic and likes to get going towards the hoop where he can score in a variety of ways. Also a good 3-point shooter. [caption id="attachment_154775" align="alignright" width="300"] Montrzel is a National Player of the Year candidate averaging a double-double.[/caption] #25      G/F      Wayne Blackshear: 6’5’’ 215            SR. In the absence of Monztrezl, the senior wing stepped up and scored 31 points in a blowout victory over Cal State Northridge. We know that Blackshear is a very good 3-point shooter, but he is just 29.6% so far this season. However, playing at home against Kentucky is a time where he could really get going. Strong & athletic, we must box him out! Averaging 13.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. #24      F          Montrzel Harrell: 6’8’’ 240               JR. Coming off of a 1-game suspension, Montrzel will be as ready to play as ever for this rivalry game. He is simply one of the best players in the country. So far this season he is averaging 16.7 points and 10 rebounds per game while shooting over 60% from the field. He is very strong and loves to just bully people around the rim. The key with him is to make him catch the ball as far from the hoop as possible and then make him score over top of our long, athletic big men. He isn’t a good free throw shooter, shooting just 59.3%. #32      F/C      Chinanu Onuaku: 6’10’’ 230             FR. Onuaku has had a solid start to his freshman season for the Cardinals. He isn’t a big threat to score much yet, but he does the dirty work around the rim and he converting 66.7% of his shots. He is a very good rebounder, especially on the offensive glass. Averaging 4.6 points and 5.8 rebounds. ________________________________________________________________________________________ #1        G         Anton Gill: 6’3’’ 190                         SO. Louisville does not count on their bench to provide much scoring, but if someone where to get going it would be Gill. He is a talented guard who is looking to score when he comes in the game. He has not shot the ball well this season, but we cannot let him get going. Gill has attempted over half of his shots from beyond the 3-point line. #2        G         Quentin Snider: 6’2’’ 180                  FR. Snider, a talented freshman from Louisville, is a very good all-around scorer who plays with a high basketball IQ. He has been playing about 10 minutes per game for the Cardinals and can sub in at either guard spot. He will be a great player down the road. #12      F/C      Mangok Mathiang: 6’10’’ 220          RS SO. [caption id="attachment_170775" align="alignright" width="213"] Anas Mahmoud provides a spark off the Cardinals bench.[/caption] Mangok provides a nice spark of energy off the bench for Louisville. He gets most of his points off of dump off passes or put backs. He is an excellent offensive rebounder, is a good athlete, and plays very hard. Averaging 3.3 points and 5.7 rebounds. #14      F          Anas Mahmoud: 7’0’’ 200                FR. Anas is continuing to play a bigger role off the bench for the Cardinals. The native of Egypt, Mahmoud is a talented freshman with great size. He plays very hard and is a good rebounder on both ends of the floor. He hasn’t been very aggressive offensively, but if he gets a few easy buckets it could really get the crowd going. Keys to the Game

• Quiet the crowd early. I often talk about the importance of a good start, but in a rivalry game on the opponent’s home floor it is crucial. If we can knock in a couple early 3’s, get some big blocked shots, and build a little lead it could completely change the atmosphere.
• Block shots, rebound, and don’t foul. Outside of Montrezl Harrell, the Louisville players are not the best finishers inside. Their big men are not huge offensive threats and the guards can have a hard time finishing over 7-footers. If we can make their guys score contested 2’s over us without bailing them out, and then do a good job of rebounding their misses, it should lead to victory.
• Don’t let emotions take over. It is a said over and over again, but to the players and coaches this has to be just another game. If we let our emotions boil over, especially if things aren’t going well, it could be bad. Louisville is a good enough team, especially in the YUM! Center to beat us, so we can’t play into their hand by getting overwhelmed by the moment.

Brandon Ramsey @Coach_BRamsey