Luke Hancock to Louisville is a bigger deal that you think

You may have missed the news over the weekend -- its the end of may, and players transferring out of CAA schools are hardly the biggest priority in the sports world at this time of year -- but Luke Hancock finally settled on Louisville as his landing point after opting to leave George Mason in the wake of Jim Larrananga's departure to Miami.

Hancock is by no means a super star. He averaged a modest 10.9 ppg, 4.3 apg, and 4.2 rpg and shot 35.9% from three as a 6'5" wing for the Patriots last season. He is not a program changing transfer.

But he is a perfect fit for Rick Pitino's system at Louisville. Hancock was, by definition, George Mason's starting small forward last season, but he was also their most important playmaker. Down the stretch of the season, he was one of the guys with the ball in his hands at the end of a clock or when George Mason needed a basket. He almost played the role of the point guard.


If you don't believe the kid has talent, ask Louisville's Big East brethren Villanova, who were the recipients of 18 points and five assists -- including the game-winning three -- from Hancock in the round of 64 in the NCAA Tournament.

Hancock is a perfect fit for the Louisville system. Rick Pitino wants to spread the floor. He wants players that are able to create off of the dribble, either for themselves or to find an open teammate, and he wants his players to be able to knock down an open, catch-and-shoot three. That's Hancock to a T. Throw in the fact that he's a 6'5", athletic wing -- the kind of player that will be effective in Louisville's press and 2-3 zone -- and its not hard to see what the two were a perfect fit.

Hancock will not be eligible to play until the 2012-2013 season -- the fact that Jim Larrananga is allowed to change jobs and coach immediately and Hancock is forced to sit out a season as a transfer is ridiculous, but also a different post for a different day -- so think of him as a recruit in the class of 2012. Think of him joining sophomore Wayne Blackshear and senior Peyton Siva on the Cardinals' perimeter with Gorgui Dieng, Chane Behanan, and Zach Price patrolling the paint. Now think of that team if Rodney Purvis decides to recommit to Louisville.

Transfers like Hancock's always seem to fly under the radar.

But rest assured that in January of 2013, as Big East play gets rolling, Hancock's name will be one you will hear referenced.