LOUISVILLE
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NEWCOMERS : This class is one of the best ever for Louisville , ranking in the top 5 on most recruiting sites .
Malik Williams : The 6-11 freshman was a top 25 prospect and is expected to see a lot of playing time . He plays well with his face to the basket and can shoot from the outside . I ’ m sure coach Padgett will work with him on his post moves . He is very athletic so expect to see him get better with every game he plays . He averaged 23.6 points , 11.8 rebounds , 3.9 blocked shots in high school . He also hit 44 three pointers .
Darius Perry : The 6-2 freshman will be the primary backup point guard behind senior Quentin Snider . Perry is the future and will contribute some this year but this is more of a learning year for him unless coach Padgett decides to run a two-point guard set . Look for Perry to average about 4 points and 1 rebound a game .
Jordan Nwora : This freshman sharpshooter is very interesting . At 6-8 , he can play at the three spot or a stretch four . HIs range and size looks to be a tough match-up for opposing defenses . Look for him to have a few big games and a few where he doesn ’ t score much . This kid is a bucket getter .
Lance Thomas : Minutes will be hard to get for this 6-8 freshman . He has talent and looks to be a four year player . Lance is a work in progress and the finished product will be really nice . He provides more size and depth for this team .
WALK ONS : 6-1 Jacob Redding and 6-1 Jo Griffin .
Griffin is a Louisville native from South Oldham and is someone who could eventually become a meaningful player . I expect him to be a fan favorite . Redding , from Ft . Wayne , has been friends with fellow freshman Malik Williams since elementary school and isn ’ t expected to contribute much .
Overview and Predictions : The 2017-2018 version of the Louisville Cardinals are long , fast , athletic and talented . The roster is balanced and deep . They are especially strong at the wing and the depth provides many interchangeable parts meaning the “ hot hand ” will get the bulk of the minutes . The only question is , will coach Padgett decide to play Pitino-style defense or will he implement a simpler style ? If Padgett can bring unity and stability to this team , then look out .
I look for Louisville to finish second in the ACC regular season behind Duke . The postseason is still in question with the impending NCAA violations punishment coming soon . It doesn ’ t appear likely that there will be another self-imposed ban . I would guess that Louisville will be eligible for this year ’ s NCAA tournament and I believe there is enough talent on this team to make a Final Four run . However , with the turbulence of the late coaching change , I ’ m not sure if they can adapt that quickly . I believe a Sweet 16 is probable and an Elite 8 is very possible .
ADVERTISERS 1-800-Got-Junk , Indiana & Kentucky , www . 1800gotjunk . com , 1.800.468.5865 .
790 KRD ( iHeartRadio ), www . 790krd . iHeart . com .
Allterrain Paving and Construction , 1638 East Market St ., New Albany , www . APC-Construct . com , 502.265.4731 .
Axiom Financial Strategies Group of Wells Fargo Advisors , 101 W . Spring St ., Fifth Floor , New Albany , www . axiomfsg . com , 812.948.8475 .
Blue River Cabinetry , 1638 East Market St ., New Albany , www . bluerivercabinetry . com , 812.200.6670 ext . 1 . City of New Albany , 311 Hauss Square , New Albany , www . cityofnewalbany . com , 812.948.5333 .
Clarksville Parks and Recreation , 2000 Broadway St ., Clarksville , www . clarksvilleparks . com , 812.283.5313 . Falls City Beer , 116 S . 10th St ., Louisville , www . fallscitybeer . com , 502.257.7147 .
Four Barrel Fitness , 322 Mt . Tabor Road , New Albany , www . fourbarrelcrossfit . com , 502.509.3801 . German American Bank , Multiple Indiana Locations , www . germanamerican . com , 812.482.1314 .
Hatch Design Co ., www . hatchdesignco . com , 502.338.0021 . Huber ’ s Preferred Meats , 7617 Old State Road 60 # 3 , Sellersburg , www . preferredmeatsinc . com , 812.246.5930 .
Indiana University Southeast , 4201 Grant Line Road , New Albany , www . ius . edu , 812.941.2333 . Jeffersonville Parks Department , 500 Quartermaster Ct ., Jeffersonville , www . jeffparks . org , 812.285.6440 .
John Jones Auto Group , Salem , Greenville , Corydon , Scottsburg , www . johnjonesautogroup . com , 877.473.5546 .
Kahl ’ s Body Shop , 2801 Mt . Tabor Road , New Albany , www . kahlsbodyshop . com , 812.949.5245 . Karem ’ s Meats , 3306 Plaza Dr ., New Albany , www . karemsmeats . com , 812.945.9893 .
Louisville Athletic Club , Indiana & Kentucky locations , www . louisvilleathleticclub . com . Louisville City Football Club ( LouCity ), 127 S . 6th St ., Louisville , www . louisvillecityfc . com , 502.384.8799 .
Neace Ventures , 110 W . Main St ., 2nd Floor , Louisville , www . neaceventures . com , 502.370.6130 . Norton Sports Health , www . nortonsportshealth . com , 502.629.8000 .
The Office Cigar Lounge , 3700 Paoli Pike , Floyds Knobs , www . theofficecigarlounge . com , 812.993.9445 . One Southern Indiana Chamber , 4100 Charlestown Road , New Albany , www . 1si . org , 812.945.0266 .
Premier Homes , 2709 Blackiston Mill Road , Clarksville , www . premierhomesonline . com , 8129445961 . Priority Radiology , 807 Northgate Blvd ., New Albany , www . priorityradiology . com , 812.949.0807 .
Rasmussen Chiropractic LLC , 2652 Charlestown Road , New Albany , www . rasmussenchiro . com , 812.949.2273 .
Smokey ’ s Discount Tobacco Outlet , Sellersburg , Corydon , Jeffersonville , New Albany , Salem , New Salisbury .
SoIN ( Clark-Floyd Counties Convention-Tourism Bureau ), 315 Southern Indiana Ave ., Jeffersonville , www . gosoin . com , 812.282.6654 .
Southern Indiana Realtors Association ( SIRA ), 20 Lakeview Dr ., Clarksville , www . sira . org , 812.941.7472 . Sullivan University , 3101 Bardstown Road , Louisville , www . sullivan . edu , 502.456.6505 .
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Vision First , New Albany , Salem , Scottsburg , Louisville , www . visonfirsteyecare . com , 502.459.2020 . WHAS11 , 520 W . Chestnut St ., Louisville , www . whas11 . com , 502.582.7220 .
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