The University of Louisville was involved in another athletic endeavor last evening, beside you know, storming Bourbon Street into the wee hours like Hurricane Katrina.

The Cardinal hoopsters garnered a workmanlike W over speedy, well-coached Providence before a relatively quiet throng, most of whom spent the evening at the Yum! looking at watches, trying to figure out when it would be appropriate to leave to get home to turn on the telly to watch that other U of L game.

The Cards on the court started out the game like they too had their minds on Lou Orleans, falling behind 0-8, forcing The Rick to call a timeout just 2:02 into play.

At which point, he inserted Luke Hancock (for Wayne Blackshear, who played but 14 minutes total) and Russ Smith, the latter of whom inexplicably didn’t start. (Pitino’s explanation that he wanted to kickstart Kevin Ware’s game is specious and/or ill advised or both.)

The Cards’ leading scorer quickly enough microwaved 5 points to catalyze U of L. Smith tallied 3 more before another Louisvillian scored. Finally breaking a sweat, and evolving from their tipoff malaise, the Cards tied the game at 18, but were still down by 4 at the 7:04 media timeout. At which juncture, the Friars stood 10/17 from the field, 4/7 from beyond the arc.

Louisville took the lead, 25-24, at 5:44 after a Luke Hancock steal and assist to fastbreaking Peyton Siva. U of L kept Providence measured from there.

* * * * *

Midway through the second half, the Friars were still hitting a lofty percentage. With 11:39 to play, they were 19/37 from the field, 7/13 from Treyville. They finished the game hitting 45% from the field and 40% (8/20) on threes.

It is not the usual Pitino obfuscation, when he advises his team needs to improve its defense.

The Cards had one really great defensive sequence though, when they were up 61-47. Even though the Friars grabbed an offensive board to get two cracks at scoring during the possession, neither shot was good and they had to work their butts off to get even sketchy opportunities. Then Louisville came down court with an exclamation point of a Luke trey.

* * * * *

When I see the incredible force that Russ Smith has become, and remember how close he came to taking his talents elsewhere, I think of Angel Nunez, with all his length and potential, who was allowed to transfer out after The Rick summarily gave up on the kid.

I’m advised that Nunez has landed at Gonzaga. And won’t it be fun for Cardinal fans if he does for the Bulldogs what Chauncey Billips has done for the Nuggets, Pistons, Knicks and Clippers after Pitino gave up on his first round pick (#3 in the draft) in Boston?

* * * * *

Luke Hancock played his best game as a Cardinal. 11 points. 8 boards. 2 assists. 3 steals.

I still don’t understand why Pitino often sits Wayne Blackshear for long, long, long stretches. The Windy City kid only got 14 minutes of PT last night. Why not leave him in and and allow him to play through his mistakes and defensive lapses to kickstart his game?

Just sayin’?

* * * * *

I liked Siva’s 8 points and 10 assists.

Gorgui got beat a lot on D by Kadeem Batts, but was 5/6 from the field, with 11 boards 4 blocks and 3 assists. Ho hum, just a mediocre still rounding into playing shape game.

Russ Smith.

His numbers don’t matter. He is the engine that drives the ’12-’13 Louisville Cardinals.

* * * * *

Friar Josh Fortune fouled out. I looooooooved when they played Roy & Dale singing, “Happy Trails.”

– Seedy K