Louisville Basketball: Cardinals playing it safe with Mangok Mathiang
Louisville basketball being very cautious with their senior big man, Mangok Mathiang.
Louisville has been in no rush to return 6’10” senior forward Mangok Mathiang to action after the big man broke the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. Mathiang sustained the injury last December.
After enjoying his most productive year of his career as a junior, (7.1 points, 5.7 rebounds in 18.8 minutes per game), Mathiang will spend the beginning of his senior campaign coming off the bench as he works to get back to full speed.
He is slated to return to normal practices this week, and head coach Rick Pitino hopes he will be ready to go for the Battle 4 Atlantis in late November. Pitino has been anything but concerned, saying, “We don’t need Mangok right now. We are really deep up front.”
Coach Pitino also praised sophomore forward Jaylen Johnson, who finished this week’s Red and White scrimmage with 21 points and 20 rebounds. The only other center on the roster is Matz Stockman (six minutes per game last year), but Pitino clearly feels confident that the talent in his backcourt and depth at the four position will keep the Cardinals afloat.
The Cardinals also could use their plethora of four men at the five position.
Furthermore, the Cardinals are a team much more focused on boosting their three-point percentage and guard play rather than playing through an undersized, offensively challenged center.
The Cardinals cruised to a 23-8 overall record last year, going 12-6 in the ACC on the shoulders of guards Damion Lee and Trey Lewis. With Lewis and Lee’s departures opening up more minutes for sophomore Quentin Snider, Pitino will once again rely on his guards and the intriguing front court talent that is emerging.
However the eventual return of Mathiang could bode well for the Cardinals, who lost their workhorse power forward Chinanu Onuaku to the NBA Draft. Having a talented big man who can grab rebounds and score around the rim each game keeps defenses honest and allows your playmakers more space on the floor to create shots.
With Mathiang hungry to return to basketball and reclaim his starting position, he could play a vital role in his team’s success down the stretch. His leadership will clearly be important to the Cardinals.
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