Louisville basketball is hitting its stride on the defensive end at just the right time.
Over the course of the last month, Louisville basketball has found itself moving up in Ken Pomeroy’s adjusted defensive efficiency ratings. Now, sitting at 29th in adjusted defense, head coach Chris Mack may have a young team but is apparent that the Cardinals defend like a veteran squad.
On average, Louisville has played the 44th most-difficult schedule against opposing offenses. Despite that, of recent, the Cardinals are seeing their numbers improving.
According to University of Louisville Athletics, Louisville basketball is the only program in the conference to rank in the top three in:
– Scoring Defense
– Field Goal Percentage Defense
– Three-Point Field Goal Percentage Defense
Additionally, Louisville basketball allows the 2nd-fewest field goals made in the ACC. The Cards also allow the fewest assists of any team in the conference.
Over the last three games, Louisville basketball has allowed 65 points to Duke, 54 to Clemson, and 58 to Georgia Tech.
Employing Mack’s pack-line defense, the Cardinals specialize in thwarting teams from getting into the lane. Louisville is second in the ACC in two-point shot attempts allowed. Conversely, they allow the second-most three-point attempts in the conference. Opponents only make threes at a 29 percent clip.
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After a season that ended prematurely in 2020, a program that saw 8 players depart has been met with an impatient fanbase. The Cardinals, after all, have not won an NCAA Tournament game since 2017 and haven’t advanced to the second weekend since 2015.
For a blue blood like Louisville, the patience is going to wear thin regardless of circumstances.
But, quietly, Mack is building a team capable of making some noise in the back half of this season. Successful teams in March make things happen on the defensive end. Louisville basketball appears to be trending in the right direction.
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