When the year started there were a few questions that surrounded the Louisville basketball program. How were they going to replace the inside presence after the loss of Gorgui Dieng and what would the back-court look like after losing it’s heart and soul in Peyton Siva. The front-court issues have been very apparent so far in this early season and Coach Pitino is still looking for someone to step up and fill the void left with Dieng’s departure. But the Cardinals back-court is a different story and there has been much to like so far with the efficiency of this group. We knew that Russ Smith was going to be very valuable to this team but Chris Jones and Terry Rozier are filling their roles nicely as well. This Louisville back-court is starting to create some buzz for themselves.

Russ is leading the team in scoring averaging 17.6 points a games and is leading in assist with 4.3 a game. While Chris Jones is the second leading scorer on the team with 14.9 points a game and is second in assist with 2.6 a game. Rozier who has put together a couple of very good outings lately is averaging 5.1 points a game and 2.4 assist.
This group was named today as being one of the top back-courts in the country by ESPN’s Miles Simon. And Monday ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla ranked Russ Smith as one of the top seniors in the country. Here’s what they had to say:

Best backcourts in college basketball
By Miles Simon | ESPN.com

To read the rest of the article click here: Insider$

Ranking the nation’s best seniors
By Fran Fraschilla | ESPN.com

To read the rest of the article click here: Insider$

We all knew the potential was there with this group of guys in the Louisville back-court for something special and it appears that when its all said and done it is going to be special indeed. I’m very excited to see how much this group continues to grow.