The algorithm run by the folks at Basketball Prospectus projects Louisville's defense to be the best in the nation this year by a wide margin, yet still the Cards rank only 10th overall due to serious doubts about their offensive efficiency - specifically that the offense was mediocre last year and then lost it's two most efficient scorers (Smith and Kuric).

Obviously we all would be quick to dismiss this, citing improved health, player development, that the real team from last year is the one that won 8 consecutive postseason games, etc. But the reality is that the offense may not be so pretty at times.

http://www.basketballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=2426