Louisville basketball 2014-2015 season preview

Overview: The preseason No. 8 Cardinals have a lot to prove if they want to live up to such a high ranking in their first season in the ACC. After losing a combined 30.5 points per game from senior guard Russ Smith and senior forward Luke Hancock, Louisville may struggle to find production early. However, that does not mean the Cardinals should be taken lightly.

Junior Montrezl Harrell is a frontcourt beast, known for raw athleticism and physicality. After averaging 14.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game last season, Harrell now has more room to operate with Hancock’s departure. Rumors that he may have developed decent range on his jump shot over the offseason make him a viable offensive threat and a dark-horse candidate for ACC Player of the Year.

Seniors Wayne Blackshear and Chris Jones join sophomore Terry Rozier in the backcourt to form a perimeter offense that has massive shoes to fill. Rozier is a vaunted talent that didn’t get the attention he deserved playing behind Smith. His combo-guard skillset is complemented by elite athleticism that has the potential to catapult Rozier among the ACC's best guards.

Louisville is fortunate to welcome ESPN’s fourth-best recruiting class in the country. No. 33 recruit Shaqquan Aaron is a lanky wing that will thrive in Rick Pitino’s system while No. 40 freshman Quentin Snider will help provide depth in the backcourt. Five other true freshmen join redshirt freshman Dilon Avare, providing Pitino with plenty of options as the season progresses.