The 2013 basketball schedule was released today and the one word that comes to mind is transition. Just like with the football schedule this season the basketball schedule is suffering from the transitional year and is a little on the soft side especially the non-conference portion. A soft basketball schedule is something that we haven’t seen in a long time and while I will miss some of those Big East battles I’m looking forward to the future ACC battles that will be on the schedule next year and this transition year for both football and basketball will be well worth it.
Coach Pitino: “I certainly don’t enjoy the transitional part of our conference affiliation, but this is the best scenario possible”
A few games stand out on the schedule for me. First being the most obvious and that’s the early season match-up with North Carolina in the Hall of Fame Classic. NC has had their share of troubles during the off season but you best believe that they will be a formidable foe when that ball is tipped in November. With the return of James Michael McAdoo and P.J. Hairston, along with a solid recruiting class in 2013, Roy Williams finally has depth back on his roster, and it appears the Hall of Fame coach has a contender.
The next obvious choice is the annual rivalry game with our old foe Kentucky. This years December battle with the Cats will feature the 2012 and 2013 National Champions. It will be somewhat of a rubber match of sorts between the last two champs of college basketball. The game will also feature programs with very different approaches to winning. The college basketball world will be watching to see if the team of grizzled veterans or the team of super freshman phenoms will rule the day. Rupp Arena will be rocking and this will be the most anticipated Battle of the Bluegrass in years.
Then comes the conference slate of games. This years conference games will feature old Metro, CUSA and Big East foes. Memphis, UCONN, and Cincy games stand out the most to me but you also can’t count out those games against Southern Methodist.
The Cards will renew a conference rivalry that historically is considered to be one of the better hardwood feuds in NCAA basketball when they face off against Memphis this season. The Tigers could pose the biggest threat to Louisville for the AAC title this season and if last season’s meeting was any indication, this year’s meetings will be fun to watch as Josh Pastner should have his best team in his five seasons as head coach. Memphis returns a perimeter game that can compete with any team in the country. Joe Jackson, Geron Johnson and Chris Crawford.
After a year of sitting out of post season play UCONN will be one of the hungriest teams in college basketball this season. Coach Kevin Ollie did an excellent job keeping his team playing hard last year and this season the backcourt is experienced on both sides of the ball. Shabazz Napier, Ryan Boatright and Omar Calhoun all can pressure the ball, are competitive, play with confidence and have the ability to score. These guys will be a dark horse contender in the AAC.
It is always a battle when the Cardinals face off against the Bearcats and that won’t change this season as Coach Mick Cronin will bring one of the most physical and athletic teams into the AAC. It will be an experienced and established UC team lead by Sean Kilpatrick and a great supporting cast of characters including highly sought-after freshman Jermaine Lawrence, who is versatile, and athletic. Titus Rubles, Shaquille Thomas, David Nyarsuk and Justin Jackson can all protect the rim and rebound. These guys could very much be a top contender for the AAC this year and will be tough competition for our Cards.
Last but certainly not least is Southern Methodist. They may not Jump out to everyone as a respectable opponent or national contender but boy are they ever. Larry Brown is a helluva coach and he has assembled a roster that can compete with any team in the American and the country. They return all five starters, had three transfers sitting out and signed one of the best shooting guards in the country in McDonald’s All-American Keith Frazier. This is one of those teams that can come out of nowhere this season and be the surprise of the college basketball season. This may turn out to be one of Louisville’s toughest opponents of the season.
Just glancing at the schedule today these were some of the things that stood out to me. And while it doesn’t appear to be the grueling slate of seasons past this is not as bad as most think it is. Our defending National Champion Cardinals will have their hands full once again and this schedule will turn out some instant classics just you wait and see.
