2011 CBB Predictions & Gambling Preview: Louisville Cardinals (Big East)
It looks like it might be a top heavy season in the Big East. Most polls have Syracuse and UConn in the top five with Louisville and Pitt in the top 15 too.
In terms of the Cardinals they have an advantage in a lot of returning players, especially from injury, but I am still not convinced this is a high calibre team.
If they go far Rick Pitino will have earned his keep.
The reason for my less than glowing outlook is that I don’t see a lot of top tier talent on this roster. They are going to have depth for sure but winning big is usually about star power.
Even a team like Butler had guys like Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard but I don’t see anyone of that calibre on this roster just a bunch of players who have been criticized over the the past couple of seasons – Peyton Siva I am looking at you.
Additions
Wayne Blackshear – Terror on wing is likely to sit out entire season with injury.
Chane Banahan – Bulky forward is ready to pound in the Big East.
Subtractions
None of note.
Key Players
Peyton Siva – Getting better over the course of his career.
Kyle Kuric – Can be a deadly shooter…sometimes.
Rakeem Buckles – A key defender and rebounder in the paint. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Strengths
Depth – This team has an astonishing 18 players on their roster this season. They may be lacking in star power but they certainly have a lot of pretty good players.
This will still be a pretty young team though, more than half of that 18 are freshmen and sophomores so nobody is sure just how much they will contribute.
Weaknesses
As noted above this team is lacking a star player to count on when times are tough. Blackshear was potentially going to develop into that role but is now out and was a freshman anyway. When it comes to winning time it is difficult to know who is going to step up and be accountable.
It may not affect them too much early on but when the games get tighter it will.
Post Season
A lot of people like this team more than I do. I see one tourney win tops.
Championship Odds
10/1
Projected wins 26
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