2009-2010 Louisville Cardinals Outlook
Carl H | Apr 07, 2009 | Comments 1
Now that the 2008-2009 college basketball season is over, let us take a peek at what the 2009-2010 version of the Louisville Cardinals will look like.
Louisville did everything this year but reach the Final Four and win a National Championship, and that turned what could have been the greatest season in Cardinal history, into a disappointment. Louisville still accomplished things no other Cardinal team has (Big East regular season and tournament championship, schools first ever No. 1 ranking) and should be proud of these accomplishments.
Coming off a 31-6 season and a second strait Elite Eight appearance, the Cardinals will be losing three starters and will once again need to discover a new personality as their top two scorers and leaders, Twill and Earl, are gone and their senior defensive leader McGee departs as well.
Louisville’s recruiting class is currently ranked among the top 12 teams by ESPN.com, 12th in the nation by Rivals.com and 19th by Scout.com.
My starting five for next year is Sosa, Smith, Swopshire, Samuels and Jennings, with Siva eventually replacing Sosa.
| No. | Player | Pos | Ht | Wt | Yr | Hometown |
| 11 | Brickley, Chris | G | 6′ 4″ | 175 | Jr | Manchester, NH (Southern New Hampshire U) |
| 12 | Delk, Reginald | G | 6′ 4″ | 200 | Sr | Jackson, TN (Mississippi State University) |
| 22 | Goode, George | F | 6′ 8″ | 230 | So | Raytown, MO (Raytown South HS) |
| 23 | Jennings, Terrence | F | 6′ 9″ | 220 | So | Sacramento, CA (Notre Dame Prep) |
| 2 | Knowles, Preston | G | 6′ 1″ | 190 | Jr | Winchester, KY (George Rogers Clark HS) |
| 14 | Kuric, Kyle | G | 6′ 4″ | 195 | So | Evansville, IN (Memorial HS) |
| 24 | Samuels, Samardo | F | 6′ 9″ | 260 | So | Trelawny, Jamaica (St. Benedict Prep) |
| 34 | Smith, Jerry | G | 6′ 2″ | 202 | Sr | Wauwatosa, WI (Wauwatosa East HS) |
| 10 | Sosa, Edgar | G | 6′ 2″ | 175 | Sr | New York, NY (Rice HS) |
| 25 | Steiden, Lee | F | 6′ 4″ | 190 | Jr | Louisville, KY (St. Xavier HS) |
| 21 | Swopshire, Jared | F | 6′ 8″ | 205 | So | St. Louis, MO (IMG Academy) |
| DEPARTURES | ||||||
| 1 | Williams, Terrence | F | 6′ 6″ | 220 | Sr | Seattle, WA (Rainier Beach HS) |
| 5 | Clark, Earl | F | 6′ 9″ | 225 | Jr | Plainfield, NJ (Rahway HS) |
| 33 | McGee, Andre | G | 5′ 10″ | 180 | Sr | Moreno Valley, CA (Canyon Springs HS) |
| 20 | Scott, Will | G | 6′ 4″ | 185 | Sr | New York, NY (Cornell University) |
| ARRIVALS | ||||||
| Rakeem Buckles | F | 6′ 8″ | 200 | Fr | Miami, FL (Monsignor Pace HS) | |
| Mike Marra | G | 6′ 4″ | 200 | Fr | Smithfield, RI (Northfield (Mass.) Mt. Hermon) | |
| Peyton Siva | G | 5′ 11″ | 165 | Fr | Seattle, WA (Franklin HS) | |
| Stephan Van Treese | F | 6′ 9″ | 220 | Fr | Indianapolis, IN (Lawrence North HS) |
A quick look at the newcomers:
Rakeem Buckles
Averaged 12.6 points and 9.7 rebounds in leading team to second strait Florida 4-A championship. More of an Earl Clark type forward as has the ability to create his own shot and score off the dribble with ease. Can take larger defenders off the dribble and post up smaller ones, scoring easily. The same goes for Rakeem on the defensive end though, and that is where the majority of his improvement needs to happen.
Mike Marra
Has nearly unlimited range and does a great job of curling off screens for jumpers, effectively squaring his body to the rim and making good use of his lightning quick release. Averaged 19.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals and is ranked in Top 50 shooting guards by ESPN.com. In the 2008 National Prep Showcase, he went 9-for-17 from deep. “He’s the best high school shooter I have seen in my life,” said Rick Pitino. “I know that’s quite a statement.”
Peyton Siva
The biggest name of the group and a pure point guard with unbelievable speed and quickness. Averaged 19.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.3 steals this year and is ranked as the 8th PG in the nation by Rivals.com. Had 6 points and 9 assists in the McDonald’s All-American game.
Stephan Van Treese
A strong and physical power forward. Averaged 11.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists. Runs the floor well and is a monster on the offensive glass. Will need to improve his post game and footwork to score consistently deep in the post with his back to the basket.
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