SportsLine.com/Lindy's Basketball
2000 Season Preview
Nov. 17, 2000

Back in the 80s, Louisville used to be good for 20-25 wins and deep runs into March. A trip to Freedom Hall meant you left town with a loss punctuated by thunderous dunks and pounding eardrums from the taunts of Cardinal fans.

Yes, Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum remains one of the game's most respected leaders, but Louisville is not as feared as it once was and after losing five seniors, and reaching the postseason won't be easy for the Cardinals. They are, nevertheless, well equipped in the backcourt and should make things interesting.

The Cardinals' best and most exciting player is senior guard Marques Maybin, who enjoyed a breakout season while setting career highs in scoring and rebounding.

Maybin is paired again with sophomore point guard Reece Gaines. Gaines needs to get stronger, but at 6-6 is a throwback to the big Louisville guards of the past. Still, the Cardinals are thin on reserves in the backcourt after the school suspended reserve sophomore guards Quintin Bailey and Caleb Gervin for the entire 2000-01 season for a violation of NCAA rules.

The senior frontcourt of Nate Johnson, Dion Edward and Tony Williams will be missed, but Crum's coaching staff worked hard in the spring to land much-needed reinforcements up front. The six-man recruiting class includes 6-8 Ellis Myles of Centennial High School in Compton, Calif., and 6-7 Luke Whitehead of Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va.

Whitehead and Myles are expected to help immediately, but the Cardinals won't be getting additional help from Muhammed Lasege. The NCAA Clearinghouse initially declared the 6-foot-11 Nigerian academically eligible in July, but Lasege recently was declared ineligible because of a contract he signed with a Russian professional team. Freshman Daouda Cisse also is awaiting clearance from the NCAA.

Predicted finish

American Division 1. DePaul 2. Cincinnati 3. UNC-Charlotte 4. Marquette 5. Saint Louis 6. Louisville National Division 1. Memphis 2. South Florida 3. Southern Miss 4. UAB 5. Houston 6. Tulane

Honors candidates

Marques Maybin. Became strong from the field toward the end of the season. Could be one of Conference USA's elite backcourt players if his shot continues to fall.

Keep an eye on

Reece Gaines. Only the 12th freshman to start during the Crum era, Gaines should build upon his solid first year. Needs to increase his assist numbers.

Key players

(*Returning starter; 1999-2000 avg.)

• PG Reece Gaines*, 6-6, 185 So. - Last year's experience will only help (9.2 ppg, 3.2 apg)
• SG Marques Maybin*, 6-3, 185, Jr. - Perhaps the league's most exciting player (15 ppg)
• G Rashad Brooks, 6-1, 205, Sr. - Good backup at both guard spots (5.6 ppg)
• F Daouda Cisse, 6-8, 215, Fr. - Has played basketball for less than four years
• F-C Joseph N'Sima, 6-8, Jr. - More of a defender than scorer
• F Ellis Myles, 6-8, 220, Fr. - A serious low post player
• F Simeon Naydenov, 6-7, 195, Fr. - Should play right away
• F Luke Whitehead, 6-7, 215, Fr. - Fundamentally sound player
• F Mac Wilkinson, 6-8, 235, Fr. - The brother of former Cardinal Felton Spencer

Key losses

• Nate Johnson, F, 6-6, 215 (14 ppg, 3.1 assists)
• Tony Williams, F, 6-8, 220 (14 ppg., 6.3 rpg)
• Dion Edward, F-C, 6-9, 235 (5.4 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 51 blocks)

Lindy's College Basketball Annual is available at newsstands, or can be ordered at www.lindyssports.com, or by calling 1-205-871-1182.

Schedule