Louisville Defense Impressive Early

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

With teams like Duke, Kansas, Michigan State, and Ohio State stealing the spotlight early, a team like the Louisville Cardinals (6-0) go unnoticed.

The Cardinals are off to their best start since beginning the '05-06 season with six straight victories.

Louisville has yet to be tested with an average defeat of 25.2 points a game. The Cardinals six early wins include key wins over then-No. 18 Butler, and Florida International.

Rick Pitino's scrappy young squad is doing it with defense.

The Cardinals have forced 114 total turnovers this year. That is an average of 19 per game. Louisville is also tied for fourth in the nation with 12 steals per outing.

Senior guard Preston Knowles leads the Cardinals with 2.0 steals per outing, with five other players checking in with at least one steal per game.

Knowles also adds 11.5 points, and 4.0 rebounds per outing. With such a balanced attack on offense, four other players are in double-figures for the Cardinals.

After a 23-point outing against South Alabama, Mike Marra is now the leading scorer for Louisville with 13 points, 3.8 assist, and 3.3 rebounds.

Sophomore Peyton Siva, the former McDonald's All-American, has made his mark thus far. He is averaging 10.6 points, 3.8 assist, and 1.8 steals per game.

Coach Pitino's team doesn't just play tough defense, it also attacks the glass pulling down 41.8 a game, which also ranks among the top in the nation.

Once the Cardinals get the rebound, Siva is looking to push the ball up court in transition. The Cardinals have a good transition offense that allows them to dish out 19.1 assist per game.

Their assist total also helps Louisville become one of the best scoring teams in the nation. The Cardinals are now the sixth best scoring team in the nation averaging 87.5 points per game. Louisville as a team is also shooting 48 percent from the field.

More impressively, the Cardinals have done most of this without their prized freshman Gorgui Sy Dieng. Dieng hasn't learned to play without fouling which limits his minutes to around 12 per game.

With Dieng on the court, it certainly is a lift for Louisville in the post. However, the Cardinals have been able to cover up his loss with the emergence of sophomore Rakeem Buckles, and junior Terrence Jennings.

Buckles currently averages 11 points along with 8.5 rebounds per outing. He is one guy that gets it done on the glass for Pitino, coming away with two double-doubles on the season.

Jennings chips in his 10.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks per game. In my eyes, Jennings is one of the top post defenders in the Big East. He has excellent size at 6-foot-9, and always tracks down the ball.

Nonetheless, if the Cardinals continue to play this well all around their isn't a reason why Louisville shouldn't be considered contenders in the Big East.

The Cardinals have another opportunity to prove they are for real at home against the No. 23 UNLV Rebels on December 11th, 12 PM ET.

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Peyton Siva Among Athletes Poised to Emerge Out The Shadows

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

It's not un-common to see a coach reserve a player that he does not believe is ready for the challenges of College Basketball. In fact, it occurred on many occasions last season.

There have been many cases were a highly-touted recruit arrives and understands that he will have a learning season.

Then you have the players that are acquired to back up a current superstar. After the player graduates, or leaves, the acquired player will finally get the chance to come out his shadow.

This is what occurred last season with a lot of highly-touted recruits in the 2009 class, and backups during the 09-10' season.

With the upcoming season right around the corner, the notable players are starting to come to light.

There are many players that are poised to breakout for their respective squads. But here is my selection of the most notable players that are poised to break out of the shadows.

Wally Judge - Kansas State Wildcats
Wally Judge came out of high school as a McDonald's All-American. Judge drew the attention of many NBA scouts and was conceived to possible fulfill his NBA dreams after one year at Kansas State. However, that wasn't the case. Due to Luis Colon, Curtis Kelly, Jamar Samuels, and the Wildcats stacked frontcourt, Judge was only used for defensive purposes. This season, with more minutes opening up Judge will embrace the chance to "wow" and become one of the premier threat in the Big 12.

Corey Fisher - Villanova Wildcats
Playing beside a talented player like Scottie Reynolds wasn't easy for Corey Fisher. Reynolds got all the recognition for the success at Villanova. Now, with Reynolds gone, Fisher will grasp the chance to embrace success. His scoring ability will be critical for the 'Cats.

Peyton Siva - Louisville Cardinals
Last season, Rick Pitino acquired McDonald's All-American point guard Peyton Siva to back up Edgar Sosa. With Sosa, and Siva, Pitino had a duo of guards that could play at a high-level. With Sosa gone, Siva gets his crack at leading the offense for the Cardinals. I assume he will be one of the most improved players in the Big East.

Jordan Hamilton - Texas Longhorns
Jordan Hamilton's college career has been plagued with injuries thus far. Despite playing beside a player like Damion James, Hamilton was looked to contribute a lot to the Longhorns. However, the lack of staying healthy hurt the rotation of Texas. This season, with a healthy Hamilton the Longhorns key threat may be on the wing.

Kevin Jones - West Virginia Mountaineers
Despite playing beside De'Sean Butler, and Devin E'banks, Kevin Jones was able to accumulate 13.5 points, and 7.2 rebounds. With both of those players in the NBA, the buzz will now surround Jones. He will be able to get the recognition and produce at a consistent rate with more touches.

Korie Lucious - Michigan State Spartans
Last season, Lucious ended the season on a strong note. Despite losing to Butler, Lucious lead the Spartans to the Final Four and hit key shots as well. This year, with Kalin Lucas returning from injury Lucious could become the next threat for the Spartans. If he stays consistent for the Spartans he could start at point, and Tom Izzo may slide Lucas to the two.

Morris Twins - Kansas Jayhawks
The Morris Twins collectively were overshadowed by the contributions of Cole Aldrich day-in and day-out. However, with his NBA career in-sight the twin brothers will have the chance to take over the Jayhawks frontcourt. With a new guard, these two could become the favorite target.

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It's Time To Step Up: Players That Need To Come Through Next Season

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

For some players, their freshman year of college basketball is a breeze. Others can't say the same.

There are a ton of sophomore players heading into next year with a vengeance. 

Some were used lightly and some weren't used at all. 

However, once the 2010-11 season gets started, these are the guys that will need to be big for their respective squads.

John Henson, North Carolina, Forward

Henson came out of high school as a sure-fire top-ten player in the 2009 recruiting class. He could do so many things right in the post.

However, once arrived in Chapel Hill for his freshman season, he wasn't able to play big minutes.

He was playing behind Ed Davis and Deon Thompson for the first part of the season.

But once Davis broke his hand, his minutes picked up and we started seeing a little of what we could expect from Henson.

With a depleted frontcourt the Tar Heels are going to rely on Henson a lot to make plays.

He needs to step up and give the 'Heels the edge in the post.

Jordan Hamilton, Texas, Guard

Hamilton ended his high school career as the best small forward in the Class of 2009. He is very long, explosive and athletic.

He has the ability to be a great wing player. However, since Texas had Damion James, and his injury early in the season, you weren't able to witness a lot of what Hamilton could do.

Next season, Texas will need a spark off the wing. Hamilton can be what James was. He is a consistent jump shooter and an absolute monster in transition.

Hamilton thrives in fast paced offenses and Texas will need that kind of player next season.

Wally Judge, Kansas State, Forward

Judge came out of high school as a McDonald's All-American. He was blessed with explosive leaping ability and the skills to be a dominant post player.

The Wildcats' frontcourt was not loaded with talent but K-State head coach Frank Martin still only pulled Judge out the bag for defensive reasons. But when he did, Judge also showed he could play offense.

Reviewing game tape, you will see what a great job he did against Kansas. Not only did he contain Cole Aldrich, but he ran in transition an made plays on offense. 

Not to mention, he can be a great low post option on offense.

Judge needs to cut down on his turnovers ho wever. The Wildcats could use his presence in the post. He is a big-time athlete that needs time to improve. This season is the perfect time for him to play a ton of minutes and get to where he needs to be.

Peyton Siva, Louisville, Point Guard

Siva is a 5-foot-11 point guard that came out of high school as a McDonald's All-American.

He is a very explosive athlete with the ability to score on every possession. But that doesn't mean he will not check it down and get his teammates involved.

Siva played behind guards Edgar Sosa and Jerry Smith for most of his freshmen year. 

With the point guard position open, Siva will have a chance to show off his skills.

His explosiveness adds another dimension to this backcourt. Not to mention, his thievery on defense is also a plus. 

Louisville will need all his contributions in their depleted backcourt next season.

Mason Plumlee, Duke, Center

The 6-foot-10 center Plumlee came out of high school as one of the best in his class.

He is extremely long, coordinated and agile. I remember watching Plumlee participate in the high schools dunk contest.

He threw down dunks that you would not expect from a 6-foot-10 center.

Last season, he had to play behind Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas.

Now that both have graduated, I expect Plumlee to emerge as the leader of Duke's frontcourt.

Abdul Gaddy, Washington, Point Guard 

Coming out of high school, Gaddy was tabbed as one of the best point guards in the recruiting class. 

He was considered to be the best point guard not named John Wall; who went No. 1 overall in the draft. 

Gaddy is a point guard in every sense. He is young and developing, but his game has surpassed so many of his peers.

He has a great jump shot that he uses off-the-dribble and when setting up.

After a slow start to his college career, I expect an improved Gaddy that is ready to show why he was the No. 2 point guard in the 2009 recruiting class.

Elijah Johnson, Kansas, Point Guard

Johnson came out of high school tabbed as one of the better point guards in his class.

However, he doesn't have the feel to play point guard for a college program and that is probably why he chose to redshirt.

Johnson is a great player with the ability to score all day.

With Collins, I do not think minutes would have opened if he decided he wanted to play.

Johnson is a great player in transition and once the break starts he wants to show off his athleticism.

Head coach Bill Self will need all his contributions, since most of their guards are gone from last year’s squad.

Rick Pitino Says Justin Coleman 'Has a Tough Road'

Last season for Louisville was inconsistent in every shape and form.

They defeated the greats and lost against teams like Charlotte--who?!

Despite the key victories, the Cardinals were left in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

As a result, they lost all their leadership and playmakers from a year before.