Inside the Loud House
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Syracuse Basketball: Blueprint on Louisville, Jordan Nwora struggles

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - NOVEMBER 24: Jordan Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals in action in the game against the Akron Zips at KFC YUM! Center on November 24, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - NOVEMBER 24: Jordan Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals in action in the game against the Akron Zips at KFC YUM! Center on November 24, 2019 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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3. Does Nwora have any help? Who are some of the other players on the roster Syracuse fans should keep an eye out for?

"“Nwora has plenty of help, and Orange fans should be aware that although there isn’t a second go-to guy, any of one the other eight players in the rotation has and can show up. Among the two most dangerous heading into this game is center Malik Williams and point guard David Johnson. Even in Louisville’s two recent losses, Williams and Johnson have remained consistent in regards to attitude and effort. Neither player has started a game this season, yet over the course of conference play, it has been a rarity for them to not finish the game together. Williams, a team captain, has battled injuries and streaky shooting, but he brings maybe the most consistent energy level and is hands down Louisville’s best defender. Louisville will hedge hard on screens at the top of the key, and the length of Williams disrupts the flow in the lane for opposing offenses. There’s a one hundred percent chance you will notice No. 5 on the floor on multiple occasions on Wednesday. Johnson is a true freshman and Louisville native who has been the hottest topic locally all season. Though he has yet to start a game since returning from injury early in the season, he has been perhaps the biggest reason for Louisville’s mid-season surge. Mack has called Johnson Louisville’s “best playmaker,” and when he is in it is evident why. He is 6-foot-5 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and is the most athletic player on the team. Though Louisville often has to settle for freshman mistakes with Johnson, it is well worth it. He gets into the lane at will, finishes strong at the rim, and is the best passer on the team. Look for Johnson to finally notch his first start of the season against Syracuse. Starting center Steven Enoch remained in school after testing the draft waters last season, and he is Louisville’s most polished low post player. Redshirt senior wing Dwayne Sutton is Louisville’s glue guy who will be of value rebounding in the Cuse zone and is often looked to when Louisville is in need of a big-time play. Finally, redshirt senior Ryan McMahon has been streaky of late, but if he makes a three early, he can make them in bunches. He is maligned because of his lack of athleticism, but numbers show that Louisville is better when he and Johnson are on the court.”"

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