Due to the length of the college basketball season, not every game has the same importance. However, Saturday’s game between the No. 17 UConn Huskies (6-3) and No. 18 Louisville Cardinals (10-1) is an important one (12 p.m. ET, FOX). Both teams are evenly matched and next to each other in the rankings, and this matchup will be a good barometer of where they currently stand.
Here’s the keys to the matchup for both sides:
Protecting home-court
With this game projecting to be close, UConn will need to utilize every advantage they have—starting with homecourt. The fans will be on their side; they have to use that energy to come out strong and do all the little things. Winning the 50-50 balls. Closing out on shooters. Winning the rebounding battle.
The Huskies also have a great inside-outside game with Paige Bueckers and Aaliyah Edwards. Bueckers leads the team in scoring with 19.8 points and Edwards flirts with a double-double every game with 15.8 points and 7.7 rebounds. If those two are at the top of their game and the rest of their supporting cast takes care of the small details, the Huskies be in a good position to win.
Can Olivia Cochran dominate?
Someone on the Cardinals will have to offset Edwards’ production. That task likely belongs to Olivia Cochran. She…
