There comes a time when even an old fart like myself must woof.

So I shall.

Here is word for word what I wrote in this space on October 28, 2009, the day before Louisville’s first exhibition tilt of this regular season just completed:

Cardinal to Watch. Kyle Kuric. Remember where you read it first. He’s a classic Hoosier type of player. I mean that as a compliment. Understands the game. Gets the most of his abilities. Has an instinct for the ball, especially off the boards. Jimmy Rayl shooting range, i.e. can hit from anywhere inside the gym.

Thank you, thank you vury much, really, hold your applause.

What I observed in Kuric in a previous Red/White scrimmage was a quiet presence, an innate sense of the game, a confidence belied by his reticent demeanor, his stealth leaping ability, his nose for the ball off the boards. his no nonesense approach to the game.

Did I foresee that, in Freedom Hall’s final Cardinal game, Kyle Kuric would post one of the handful of greatest U of L performances EVER. Of course not, but it sure did make me smile.

Here’s something else that brought a smile to Cards fans who watched the game on the tube (as well as those, like our dinner guests and me last night, who watched a replay before breaking bread).

With 13:43 to play, here are the exact observations of “expert” color commentator, Fran Fraschilla: “Kuric is not a great shooter. You have to concentrate on Preston Knowles if you’re Syracuse.”

Yo, Franny, the dude was 9/11 from the field, including 4/6 from Treyville. And personally chose to honor the Original Doctors of Dunk in attendance with his own Slam Seminar. I’m so sure the Orange players were spitting up bits of the rock on the flight all the way back to New York.

* * * * *

There really is no way other way to say it, so I’ll reiterate the obvious. It was just about as perfect conclusion to the U of L era in Freedom Hall as you could have scripted.

Perhaps this group will make a run like the overachieving ‘96-’97 DeJuan Wheat-led edition that clawed its way to the Elite Eight. Perhaps the year will end not with a bang but a whimper. But, for this day, and I’d opine, for those to come, there is no reason to speculate about the future or how this season might end for the Cards.

It is time to rejoice. Saturday was magnificent.

Jerry Smith was the pilot lighter. He scored the first 8 U of L points of the game. Then, after being hurt, led cheers on the bench, like the leader he’s become. Indeed, this wary, sullen kid as a freshman has grown into a man.

Edgar Sosa tallied 10 assists. And scored three important treys.

Samardo Samuels stayed the course, playing like a beast in the 2d half.

Jared Swopshire netted 10 in the bucket, and 8 off the boards. His follow semi-slam during Louisville’s game-winning run was most important.

Preston Knowles had eight boards and a key triple. Those Orange players I’m sure were looking for him to shake out of their jockstraps when they undressed in the locker room.

Peyton Siva was steady and made two floor plays immediately upon being inserted in the game plus a three that helped ignite the Cards.

Terrence Jennings was 3/3 from the field, with 3 boards and 3 steals and a blocked shot.

Rakeem Buckles had a key blocked shot.

At one point in the 1st half, the Orange had ten more boards than Louisville. In the 2d, the tally was Cards 27/ ‘Cuse 14.

Rick Pitino had the team ready. Despite early shooting woes, U of L wasn’t too jacked up at the tip off, a very real possibility, given the energy swirling about the Hall. He called off the press in the second half, which was an astute, key adjustment.

Louisville Cardinals 78. #1 Syracuse 68. Sweet.

The rest of this season is icing on the cake.

– Seedy K