Previewing Louisville basketball before it takes on Mississippi State in the Bahamas.
There is a lot to be thankful for today, including Louisville basketball returning to action against a Power 5 opponent.
This Thanksgiving night, after your second nap and your third plate, the college basketball gods have blessed (or cursed) us with late-night hoops.
The Cards kick off a tough stretch of basketball with a reloaded Mississippi State squad.
Can Louisville basketball get up for a game against a legit opponent, or will we see more of the same?
Who: Louisville vs. Mississippi State
Where: Nassau, Bahamas
When: Thursday, November 25th, 2021 at approx. 9:30 PM
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: 840 WHAS AM in Louisville
Last Meeting: MSU won 79-56 in the 2018 NIT quarter-finals
Series History: Tied 2-2
Spread Check: Miss State -1
Thread Check: TBD? But I’d bank on these
Let’s eat 🍴
— Louisville Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) November 25, 2021
🏀: vs. Mississippi State
📍: @BahaMarResorts
⏰: 9:30 p.m. ET
📺: @CBSSportsNet pic.twitter.com/mJYvn3kLmT
Relevant Tweets:
What to Watch For
How do Louisville guards match the Bulldogs’ guards?
Louisville’s backcourt has been an asset thus far. However, it faces its toughest challenge yet against this Mississippi State squad.
Veteran Iverson Molinar leads the way for the Bulldogs, averaging 15.8 points and 5.3 dimes a game. Molinar is every bit of Jarrod West and El Ellis’ match. The 6’3″ junior is joined in the backcourt by NC State transfer Shakeel Moore. Moore didn’t play against Louisville last season but he put up double digits against the likes of Duke and Virginia. So far this season, Moore is 11-for-21 from three-point range.
Mississippi State presents a tough match-up for the Cards as a solid defensive backcourt. Factor in Michigan State transfer Rocket Watts, and UofL faces a test that it might not see until Kentucky.
Look for UofL guard Mason Faulkner to up his minutes and for the Cards to try to use El Ellis more in order to create mismatches in transition.
Can Louisville find an answer for Garrison Brooks?
Remember this guy?
Louisville basketball is tasked Thursday with finding an answer for North Carolina transfer Garrison Brooks. The super senior has 110 career starts under his belt and brings a unique skill set to the table. Brooks has been a thorn in Louisville’s side the last three times he has faced the Cards and poses a substantial threat on the boards.
Brooks has grabbed 2 offensive rebounds in every game this year. If Louisville basketball doesn’t show significant improvements on the defensive glass, that will happen again.
How does Louisville respond out of its comfort zone?
This is probably the biggest question on Thursday and Saturday.
How does Louisville basketball adjust in an uncomfortable environment?
The Bahamas Championship is played in a ballroom. In front of a very small crowd. On an island full of distractions. During this team’s first trip away from home. Without its head coach.
These moments can make you or break you. Let’s see what Louisville is made of.
Predictions
KenPom: MSU 67, Lou 66
Matt McGavic: MSU 69, Lou 64
Ethan Sprowles: MSU 72, Lou 68
Tanner Hickman: MSU 80, Lou 68
Brian Trent: MSU 75, Lou 68
Nick Conner: Lou 70, MSU 69
Alan Thomas: Lou 73, MSU 68
Spencer Brown: MSU 77, Lou 69
Presley Meyer: Lou 67, MSU 60
Next: Takeaways from back-to-back Louisville WBB wins
Also: What to think about Louisville basketball attendance issues
