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Posted: Sunday November 07, 1999 01:52 PM

Louisville

1998-99 record

19-11 overall, 11-5 C-USA (lost to Creighton in NCAA first-round)

Coach

Denny Crum, 644-264, 28 seasons

Projected starting lineup

F Nate Johnson, 6-6, Sr. Hampered last season by nagging injuries but still averaged a team-high 12.3 points. F Tony Williams, 6-7, Sr. Underrated offensive player whose favorite shot is a three-pointer from the left wing. C Dion Edward, 6-9, Sr. Will have to hit the glass given the Cards' lack of post players. G Marques Maybin, 6-3, Jr. Showed flashes of athletic excellence but has been mentally fragile under Crum's heavy thumb. G Reece Gaines, 6-6, Fr. Flashy freshman who likes to penetrate the lane, dish off or take it in for a score.

Top guy off the bench

C Tobiah Hopper, 6-9, Sr. A 20-points-a-game scorer in junior college, sat out the second half of last season with academic problems.

Key Newcomer

G Rashad Brooks, 6-1, Jr. A transfer from Cecil Community College, the sturdy Brooks is a reliable ballhandler and distributor and can steady the offense if Gaines proves erratic.

Key Games

Dec. 18, at Kentucky, Despite the Wildcats' national stature, they haven't beat Louisville in two tries during Tubby Smith's tenure. Jan. 27 vs. Cincinnati, Kenyon Martin has called the Cards soft and easily intimidated. They'll try to prove otherwise -- and beat Cincinnati for the first time in six tries.

Outlook

Crum is still waiting for the NCAA Clearinghouse to declare 6-foot-11 Nigerian Muhammed Lasege eligible. If that happens, Louisville will have an inside force not seen there since Samaki Walker. Otherwise the Cards will run, run, run with a deep bevy of athletes led by Marques Maybin and Nate Johnson. At 62 years old, Crum wants one more push through the NCAA Tournament.

Cardinals' 1999-00 schedule

 

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