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Former Kentucky star Jamal Mashburn regrettably names Louisville among NCAA's best

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh48 minutes agogriffin_mcveigh
Syndication: The Courier-Journal
Louisville Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey watches his team during their game against the Bellarmine Knights on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky.

A few belong in the discussion of the best teams in college basketball early on. TNT’s panel went through some, mainly naming the Arizona Wildcats and Houston Cougars. But analyst Jamal Mashburn, who played at Kentucky, regrettably named Louisville as a team that has impressed him.

Mashburn explained why, mentioning the guard play. Mikel Brown Jr. leads the way there as a true freshman, specifically looking good in the Kentucky game not too long ago. He might not enjoy watching Louisville have success but if the compliments are coming from Mashburn, you know he is telling the truth.

“I don’t want to do it but Louisville looks really good, man,” Mashburn said. “Louisville looks really good with their guard play and what they’ve done with that particular head coach. They’ve done an outstanding job. They’ve got guys that can get to the rim, can shoot. You’ve got to look out for them.”

Now, this praise for Louisville does come after just one game against a high-major opponent. Somebody like Arizona has already been tested multiple times, taking down Florida in Las Vegas to open the season before getting a road win vs. UConn on Wednesday night. The schedule has been light thus far for the Cardinals, yet to leave the Yum! Center.

Things will change on Friday night with a neutral site game with Cincinnati, getting another chance to play a power conference foe with hopes of making the NCAA Tournament. You can add other nonconference games vs. Arkansas, Indiana, Memphis, and Tennessee in the coming weeks.

Head coach Pat Kelsey, another asset Mashburn mentioned, hopes the level of play does not drop off for his team. But to this point, it’s hard to argue against what we have all seen from Louisville.

As for the guard play, three different guys at the position are averaging double-figures. Brown is joined by Ryan Conwell at 19.3 points per game. The freshman has added 2.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game, while Conwell is a better rebounder at an average of 4.5 a night.

Those are the type of numbers that, when played throughout a full season, can help you win a national championship. Guard play is always one of the more discussed advantages throughout March and into the first weekend of April. It’s early on but Mashburn is digging what his program’s arch-rival has been able to put together thus far.