Louisville’s offense may be getting a major boost at just the right time.
When the Cardinals released their first injury report for Saturday’s trip to Chapel Hill, Lawayne McCoy showed up as probable against North Carolina, a welcome sign for a team trying to keep its ACC title hopes moving in the right direction. Louisville and UNC meet with the Cardinals chasing a fifth straight win, and the latest update suggests one of Jeff Brohm’s most dangerous playmakers could be back in the mix.
McCoy has missed the last two games because of a knee injury he picked up against Syracuse. Brohm said he played through it in that game, but also noted he was expected to miss an “extended period of time.”
That makes this probable tag a big development for Louisville. The Florida State transfer has been one of the Cardinals’ biggest additions this season, and he’s backed that up with production. In seven games, McCoy has 25 catches for 513 yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Even with the missed time, he still leads Louisville in touchdown grabs. His 513 receiving yards are second on the team, trailing only Tre Richardson’s 685.
And from a personal standpoint, McCoy has already set a new high for receiving yards in a season with three games still left to play. He’s also two catches shy of matching his career best for receptions in a year, after hauling in 27 last season at Florida State.
Louisville is listed as a 3.5-point favorite for the matchup, and the Cardinals will be trying to do more than just protect their winning streak. They’re also looking for their third straight win over UNC. With McCoy trending toward a return, they may have one of their best offensive weapons back for a key road test.
In Other News...
Louisville Fans Will Have Strong Feelings About Tyran Stokes Kentucky Comments
Tyran Stokes gave Louisville fans something to chew on after a game against Kentucky, and not just because of what he did on the court. The Louisville native and former five-star recruit said the rivalry felt personal because of where he is from, noting that the matchup carried the kind of edge he would expect if he were wearing a Louisville uniform.
Stokes ultimately chose Kansas, but his comments made clear that the Louisville connection still runs deep. After finishing with 23 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, he sounded like a player who understood exactly what the Kentucky game means in that part of the state, which is sure to spark plenty of reaction from Cardinals fans who have followed his path closely. [Read more 🡒]
Mikel Brown Jr. Is Starting To Look Like Louisville's Next NBA Hit
Mikel Brown Jr. is beginning to look more comfortable as the calendar has turned, and that has been a welcome development for anyone in Louisville who watched his rise and wondered how quickly it might translate to the next level. The Brooklyn Nets rookie has sharpened his production in November, averaging 16.3 points and 3.3 assists per game while shooting it better, a sign that the game is slowing down for him rather than speeding up.
Brown has also put together back-to-back 18-point outings against the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks, the kind of steady scoring that usually comes with growing confidence. Through seven games, he is averaging 12.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game, and the early returns suggest Louisville may have another name to add to its NBA track record if this stretch keeps building. [Read more 🡒]
Louisvilles Offense Looks Ready But Two Problems Still Loom
Louisvilles offense keeps giving the Cardinals a reason to believe the season can still move in the right direction. In the latest game, the unit piled up more than 450 yards and kept stringing together scoring drives, a sign that the scheme and the personnel are starting to click in a way that should travel well as the schedule tightens up. Individual contributors have done their part, and the overall arc of the season suggests real progress on that side of the ball.
The concern is that the rest of the operation still has too many loose ends. The defense gave up far too much yardage, and the special teams mistakes continue to linger as a recurring source of frustration. For a team trying to turn offensive momentum into something more sustainable, those two issues remain the biggest obstacles between looking dangerous and actually being complete. [Read more 🡒]