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.
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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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