Louisville vs. West Virginia Thanksgiving Day Battle 4 Atlantis

Louisville Cardinals vs. West Virginia Mountaineers: Thanksgiving Day Battle 4 Atlantis Preview

The Battle 4 Atlantis tournament continues with a thrilling Thanksgiving Day matchup between the Louisville Cardinals (4-1) and the West Virginia Mountaineers (4-1). Both teams enter the second round with impressive wins, with Louisville pulling off an upset victory over #14 Indiana and West Virginia stunning #3 Gonzaga. The game tips off at 12:00 EST from the Imperial Arena in the Bahamas. Let’s dive into the stats, standout players, and what to watch for as these two teams face off in a highly anticipated showdown.

Louisville Cardinals: Dominating in the Opener

The Louisville Cardinals entered their first-round game against #14 Indiana as 3.5-point underdogs, but they played like the superior team, cruising to an 89-61 victory. Louisville is off to a strong 4-1 start under first-year head coach Pat Kelsey, with their only loss coming to #12 Tennessee earlier this season. The win over Indiana was undoubtedly their most impressive of the year, showcasing their ability to dominate both offensively and defensively.

Noah Waterman, a 6’11 forward, had a breakout performance against Indiana, scoring 16 points and draining four three-pointers. This was a big step up for Waterman, who had been averaging just 5.5 points per game before this contest.

The team’s primary scorer is Reyne Smith, a 6’2 senior guard who is averaging 14.8 points per game. Smith has been on fire from beyond the arc, hitting 42.1% of his three-pointers and leading the team with 16 made threes on the season. Despite coming off the bench in the Indiana game, Smith scored 12 points in just 23 minutes of action.

Kasean Pryor, a 6’10 senior forward, provides a strong inside presence, contributing 12.8 points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds per game. At the point guard position, Chucky Hepburn, a transfer from Wisconsin, also made a significant impact in the win over Indiana, recording 16 points and 10 assists.

As a team, Louisville ranks 38th overall in KenPom’s ratings, with a top-20 defense (20th in defensive efficiency). They play at a fast pace, ranking 35th in tempo out of all Division I teams. Their ability to execute both offensively and defensively makes them a formidable opponent in this tournament.

West Virginia Mountaineers: Upsetting Gonzaga in Thriller

The West Virginia Mountaineers pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season in their opening game, knocking off #3 Gonzaga with an 86-78 win in a thrilling overtime contest. Despite trailing by eight points at halftime, West Virginia rallied to tie the game with 15 minutes remaining and then held on to secure the victory. This win was highlighted by an exceptional performance from guard Javon Small, who finished with 31 points and seven rebounds—his highest point total of the season.

Small, a dynamic playmaker, hit four three-pointers and converted 9 of 11 free throws in the victory. His scoring ability and leadership on the floor were crucial in leading the Mountaineers to victory over the highly-ranked Bulldogs.

Another key contributor for West Virginia was Amani Hansberry, a 6’8 sophomore forward who transferred from Illinois. Hansberry contributed 19 points and eight rebounds in the win, showing his ability to make an impact both offensively and on the glass. Additionally, Tucker DeVries, the coach’s son, added 16 points and six rebounds, helping West Virginia maintain control throughout the game.

West Virginia’s defense has been solid all season, and in the win over Gonzaga, they were able to limit the Bulldogs’ offensive flow. The Mountaineers are ranked 55th in KenPom and have a defensive efficiency rating of 41st, which should bode well against Louisville’s offensive attack.

West Virginia’s slow pace—ranked 163rd in tempo—is in stark contrast to Louisville’s fast-paced style. This clash of tempos will be an intriguing aspect of the game, as the Mountaineers will look to control the pace and limit Louisville’s fast breaks.

Conclusion

This game will be a clash of contrasting styles. Louisville’s fast-paced, high-scoring offense will face off against West Virginia’s methodical, defense-first approach. The Cardinals will look to push the tempo and utilize their depth and shooting to overwhelm the Mountaineers, while West Virginia will aim to control the clock, slow the game down, and rely on their defensive prowess to limit Louisville’s offensive opportunities.

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