The plagues. Parting of the red sea. Forty years in the desert. Unleavened bread — matzoh — because they were in such a hurry to leave, there was no time for the bread to rise.  That stuff.

The first two nights of Passover are set aside for sacred dinners, known as Sedars, where the story is repeated so as not to be forgotten. Part of the liturgy that precedes the meal are Four Questions, asked of the elders, the answers to which explain the importance of this remembrance.

Since basketball is religion in these parts. And the Final Four the holiest of holy destinations, I thought I’d present the Four Questions, which must be answered if the Louisville Cardinals are to succeed.

(Which is not to mention, I needed a hook to reel you in, given how much you’ve already read and reread about the upcoming weekend in Atlanta.)

1. Will U of L misunderestimate Wichita State?

Admit it, until last weekend, when Wichita State upset Ohio State — I have purposely avoided use of the word “shocked,” since it is now cliche — you really hadn’t considered the MoValley school much. Maybe you saw them go down to Creighton during Arch Madness. Maybe you discovered Cleanthony Early, when fashioning an All-Name team. But other that that, the team hardly registered on the radar, right?

The numbers prove my point. Less than 1/4 of 1% in the ESPN Bracket Pool have the Shockers in the Final Four. Only 3.3% had them penciled into the Round of 16.

But LaSalle, Pitt, Gonzaga and Ohio State know. They’re sitting at home watching their conqueror compete in the Big Room during the sport’s final weekend.

A worry I’ve heard far too often this week from Cardinal fans: “I sure don’t want to face Syracuse again.”

To which I respond — all together now — You only play who(m) you play. More specifically, “The Cards don’t play Syracuse — or Michigan — they play Wichita State.”

A 10 1/2 point favorite the Cardinals might be, they’d best not look past Saturday night’s foe.

Just as the Cardinals have some great back stories, experiences that have forged the team into a legit title contender, so too does Wichita State.

Oregon transfer PG Malcolm Armstead had to pay his own way for his sit out season in Wichita. He worked for a car dealership to make ends meet.

Carl Hall has a heart condition, which was/remains life threatening.

Besides the coolest name still playing, Cleanthony Early rebounds like he wants to be Kim Jong-un’s best pal, Dennis Rodman. That Tekele “100%” Cotton kid, who plays the #2 guard, also hits the boards like he’s watched a lot of Kenneth Fareid videos.

Gregg Marshall is generally recognized by every scribe who has dealt with him as being a one of the real putzes in the business. He’s also recognized as being one of the best young coaches around.

Plus that Tim Tebow guy gave them a pep talk on the team bus. So they’ve got that going for them.

Saturday night is far from a lock for U of L. Of course, on paper, it looks like an easier road to Monday night than the Orange and Wolverines face. It’s reminiscent of the ’86 Final Four, when the Cards drew LSU on the semi undercard, while Duke and Kansas battled in the heavyweight nightcap.

You still gotta score more points Saturday to survive and advance to Monday.

One can only hope, like Oregon did in Indy, getting off to a woeful start, that Wichita State looks around the Georgia Dome Saturday night, and says to itself, “Oh my, we’re not in Kansas anymore.”

2. How big is the loss of Kevin Ware?

First off, let me say that I remain way stunned at how Ware’s injury, horrific as it was, and his courageous reaction to this teammates in the aftermath, have become such a national, well, “thing.”

The First Lady. Oprah. Discussion on NPR’s “State of the Nation.” Letterman’s Top Ten.

Wasn’t it just a month ago that Cardinal fans hoped the still underachieving third guard could come in the game to relieve Siva or Smith and not hurt the cause too much? Yes, it was.

Ware’s blossoming — along with that of Silent L — are two of the reasons Louisville has been so formidable as of late. I watched the tape of the Oregon game last night. Without Ware, the Cardinals might not be in Atlanta today. Peyton Siva did one of his stupid foul things, and had to sit for 15:33 of the first half. Ware came in and was the deal.

He made several baskets which sucked the heart out of mini Duck runs. He stole the energy of possible Quack comebacks.

So, the query is: Will the Win-It-For-#5 energy be enough to overcome the loss of his presence on the hardwood?

Hopefully, the men will take a cue from Jeff Walz’s seriously feisty women’s team, which is similarly perched in the Final Four. The distaff Cards have overcome the loss of Shawnta’ Dyer (MCL and ACL tears), Tia Gibbs (hip) and Asia Taylor (hip). Plus Monique Reid is playing on one wheel. Which injury did not prevent her from going end to end and making the winning play against Britney Griner, the best baller in the women’s game.

Can the men get enough from Tim Henderson to at least partially fill the big hole in the Cardinal game plan? Can they otherwise fill the hole present due to Ware’s absence?

3. Besides Louisville’s Big Three, which of The Others is going to come up big?

Wichita State is known for hitting the boards.

Will Silent L come up with an effort like his second half against Syracuse in the Big East final? It would be a good thing.

Will it be Chane Behanan, who has somewhat underachieved this post season, compared with his performances during last year’s run. He has played with passion and intensity the last couple of games. Will it result in an even larger presence Saturday night?

Will his Dunk of the Year Award spur him on? Will he give a Golden Arches All-American performance?

Or will the Cards get that from Wayne Blackshear, who has been stalwart on D, but mysteriously ineffective on offense? We know he’s got the best grades of any competitor in the Final Four. Yesterday he was honored with the Elite 89 Award, which goes to the student-athlete in the Final Four with the highest grade point average..

He’s due a breakout performance. Saturday night would be a great time for it.

How about Luke Hancock?

His old mentor at George Mason, national Coach of the Year Jim Larranaga — the anti-Gregg Marshall, a guy generally recognized as one of the truly great fellows in the biz — says of the transfer: “Players like Luke are more valuable than they get credit for. They’re not your leading scorer, not your leading rebounder and they don’t get national attention, but you can’t win without them.”

Perhaps SVT? It could be the moment when steady and stalwart as he goes Van Treese shows the Shockers how Hoosiers learned to play ball from an early age. Fundamentally sound. With passion.

4. Will Richard Pitino again be a factor?

I’ve been worried all season that Rick Pitino didn’t have an assistant with the acumen to observe a necessary change in the Cardinal way of handling things, and the gumption to present it to The Rick.

Then, during the regional, we learned that Richard Pitino, suggested the ball screen, pick & roll tweak that vanquished the Dukies.

I love the story, just as I hated when we learned in ’09 that former Tom Izzo assistant Tom Crean made suggestions that aided Sparty’s upset of the Cards.

I was hoping that Pitino the Younger would be around all week, We know he has his dad’s ear. And we now recognize his coaching talent. Instead he’s up in Minneapolis, being introduced as the new guy in charge of the Golden Gophers.

After all the years, I’ve given him shit, referred to him as Little Ricky, I now really hope he makes it back to Atlanta, just to be there as whisper counsel to his father.

Bonus: Will the Cardinals be Hot in ‘Lanta?

– Seedy K

In an afternoon after email, containing a link to a story about Julius Randle’s commitment to the Big Blue, she exclaimed, “OMG! Happy days are here again.”

If memory serves, I received a similar missive from this same citizen of the BBN last season, on the day Nerlens Noel turned around in front of the cameras to reveal UK buzzcut in his Kid ‘n’ Play doo.

Ofttimes things just don’t happen as we suppose they will.

There is no reason or purpose to rehash the Wildcats’ season. Stuff happens. Duke’s been down. Carolina. The Cardinals played in the NIT not so very long ago, not to mention the consecutive first round Ls they to Morehead State and Cali’s Golden Bears. Very recently.

I’m a declared U of L fan, but now’s not the time for schadenfreude.

Coach Cal’s modus operandi didn’t work this season. As disappointing as the campaign has been, my sense is most Kentucky fans, as hurtin’ as they are for certain, will take a season like this after one like last. Plus their despondency is obviously tempered, as my pal above expressed, by the incoming recruiting class.

Which shall be, by all accounts, the greatest assemblage of hoops talent wearing the same uni since the original one and only Dream Team.

Yes, at this time, it appears that the Harrisons and Dakari and Randle and the other Golden Arches All Americans are a cut — or two or three — above this year’s crew, which, remember, was ranked #3 in the preseason. “At this time” is the operative phrase.

But, stuff happens. The only known commodities coming back remain question marks. I remember sitting next to Oscar Combs when UK started its championship run at the Yum! last season. He mentioned how Kyle Wiltjer had hit something like 65 out of 67 treys in practice the day before.

The same kid played ten minutes against Robert Morris, and missed a trey that would have allowed the Cats to steal the game at the buzzer.

Ryan Harrow was supposed to back up Marquis Teague this season now past. But the latter got too good too quickly, won a championship and joined the one and done crowd. Which is not to forget that, once upon a time, Teague was thought to be a future U of L superduperstar. And the latter showed from the get go he wasn’t ready for prime time under the kleig lights that always shine down on Wildcat ballers.

Stuff happens. Nothing’s preordained.

Had things panned out the way Rick Pitino foresaw them for U of L, Rakeem Buckles and Fab Melo would be in the starting lineup tonight.

How’d that work out?

So the BBN is sitting out this dance, casting its glance toward spring football practice.

Louisville is starting what it hopes will be a long fruitful tournament run in Rupp. Taking the court for the Cards will be Russ Smith, you know the afterthought who was certain to transfer after a do nothing frosh season. And Gorgui Dieng, a consolation prize when that not so ab Fab Melo kid went to ‘Cuse.

Miami’s a contender with a bunch of senior citizens, guys who’d never caused a stir previously.

You just never know.

That’s why they play the games.

Starting today in the most exciting sports event I’ve ever experienced.

– Seedy K

“I remember that game,” he said. “I watched it with my dad.

“It really taught me something.”

??????

“Loyola was way behind in the second half, right? Then they came back to win.”

His lesson: You know, the old it’s never over til it’s over thing.

Mea culpa. So despondent was I with the Cardinals’ situation last night when they were down 16 with a little over 15 minutes to play, I had abandoned hope for victory. Syracuse has been a curious match up for U of L this season. They are so much longer than the Cardinals, many of the passing lanes are closed and they can launch over outstretched U of L arms even if reasonably contested.

The beginning the second half looked to be more of the same. Carter-Williams was dishing with panache. Triche was taking it to the hoop. Fair and Southerland were launching bombs that landed right on target.

During the 15:34 media timeout, with the Cards down an insurmountable 29-45, my pal Judy, ever the optimist, said “We can still win this game.”

“Judy,” I intoned, “no way we can win this. Not trying to be negative, just realistic.”

So much for my astutivitude.

* * * * *

One hundred sixteen seconds later, that would be at the 13:48 mark, a frowning Jim Boeheim was forced to call timeout, in the wake of a 10 zed Cardinal run.

Having morphed during that interlude from note-taking scribe into my inner not so hidden 12 year old fan, I looked at the TV screen and noticed the score.

“Holy shit, we’re only down 6.”

Judy had a knowing smile on her face.

From that moment until the buzzer, all is a high fiving, are-you-kidding-me blur of Orange miscues and missed shots, Cardinal runouts, Silent L musculature, Hancock free throws, Ware’s Cirque de Soleil aerobatics, Boeheim frowns and Peyton Siva directing the whole movement like Toscanini.

I have notes. Most are indecipherable scribbles. It’s hard to display good penmanship when there is cacophony in the HummelDome (Judy & Dennis’s house where I watched the game with the Usual Suspects), when the fan jumping up and down next to me is shaking my arm in joy.

* * * * *

By the time you read this, the numbers will be ingrained in your head like your kid’s birthdays.

From 16 down to a 17 point W, a 33 point swing in 15:34. A 56-26 2d half scoring advantage. That’s +30, if you’ve misplaced your abacus.

Two — count ‘em — two Orange field goals in that final 15:34, the second of which was a meaningless trey at 1:49 that trimmed U of L’s lead to, uh, only 15.

I’ve been at this a long time, kids, since Dwight Eisenhower was POTUS, and I’ve never seen a Cardinal team doing anything like it. Yeah, yeah, yeah, they came back from 16 down against Memphis State earlier this season. But, hey, that’s just Memphis State in December. They came back from the dead against the West Virginia Pittsnoggles in the regional final. Okay, right.

Hear me again. From 15:34 to 2:03 when Wayne Blackshear drained a trey for a 73-55 lead, a span of 13:31, Louisville outscored a Top 20 team in its favorite venue, playing in front of a jammed adoring Orange crowd awaiting a coronation and a stunned national TV audience . . . Louisville outscored its foe by 35 points.

That’s +2.62 points per minute.

Ladies and gentlemen, that’s more than an explosion, more than a beatdown, that’s an evisceration.

* * * * *

Louisville got 41 points and 16 rebounds off the bench. Harrell was not so silent with 20 and 7. Hancock had 10 and 6. Ware tallied 9.

Stephan Van Treese scored two points and had two boards. But his putback to close the gap to six during that 10 nil run was the harbinger that the game had tilted in a whole different direction.

Gorgui Dieng fashioned an immaculate triple single. 9 points. 9 rebounds. 8 assists.

Peyton Siva shook off his early woes for 11 points, 8 assists, 4 steals, 2 boards, a blocked shot and only 2 turnovers. Which is why he sits with Patrick Ewing in Big East history.

I love that Chane Behanan and Wayne Blackshear, the starting forwards who only played 27 minutes between them, led cheers on the bench.

* * * * *

Rick Pitino’s in game adjustments were, frankly, brilliant.

He totally and unequivocally outcoached his former boss.

It was beautiful to watch. Those of you who often unfavorably compare his gametime adjustments to those of his predecessor, Denny Crum, the master of strategy, best keep those lips zipped this morning.

Did we love when he slapped Kevin Ware on the butt, when #5 drained a trey, fired from right in front of the Cards’ bench?

You betcha.

* * * * *

I’d love to provide more insight and in depth analysis. But, well, you know, it was just too much fun not to immerse myself in the emotion of it all.

I intend to watch the game again.

* * * * *

All our ecstasy notwithstanding, it is but one win.

The real deal starts Thursday.

Do we love that the Cardinals didn’t cut down the nets?

You betcha.

Russ Smith: “We have other nets we want to cut down.”

* * * * *

Remember Rules 1 and 2: “Survive and advance,” and “You only play who(m) you play.”

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/03/17/louisville-card-file-syracuse-10/feed/ 3 http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/03/16/louisville-card-file-notre-dame-8/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/03/16/louisville-card-file-notre-dame-8/#comments Sat, 16 Mar 2013 15:55:03 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=8344 A quick refresher course for those who were contemplating a revenge game against Georgetown tonight in the Big East Tourney Title Tilt.

Post Season Rule #2: You only play who(m) you play.

So, there’s a rubber match against The Orange in a game meaningful only when it comes to bragging rights. And seeding, perhaps. If a win secures a #1 seed, or a loss a place on the second line, it is of no matter. This NCAA tournament is going to be wacky wherever you play and who(m)ever you play.

(I say that, of course, hoping against hope that U of L is placed in either the Indianapolis or Arlington regional bracket, and I could care less about the seeding. Because, well, because I’m sitting on front row tickets to Leonard Cohen at the Palace on the evening of Saturday, March 30, and I would just as soon not have to contemplate a conflict. Which worry obviously breaches my adherence to Rule #2, since the only team on the Cards’ schedule at the moment is Syracuse.)

Ah, what March Madness does for the sale of Tums for the tummy.

Oh yes, Rule #1: Survive and advance.

* * * * *

Which is exactly what U of L did last night in a taking-care-of-business dismissal of the Notre Dame Fighting Limeaids. For the third consecutive year in the BE semis.

It is a sign of this Cardinal team’s maturity that it was never behind in the game.

It is a sign of this Cardinal team’s offensive lack of temerity that the W didn’t feel safe until the game was about two and a half minutes from completion.

Even after that, the Slime Greens knocked in a couple of improbable familiar-looking triples that caused some momentary but fortunately fleeting acid flashbacks of that 5 OT L in South Bend.

* * * * *

Before the beginning of the second stanza, I wrote a note: “Will Louisville turn it up on defense?”

While the Cards played their usual stalwart D in the first half, there was less havoc-style trapping and backcourt pressure.

A few moments after play resumed, when the decision still seemed in doubt, I asked myself, “Why not more pressure and trapping?”

The answers? Well, The Rick, for all the shit I give him in this space, knows a lot more about basketball than I do. And he obviously discerned that Mike Brey’s outfit was more fundamentally sound than Jay Wright’s had been the night before, and he chose to pressure in a different manner.

It worked. Duh.

In their postgame comments, the Irish mentioned how relentless U of L’s defense was, and how they couldn’t run their offensive sets.

* * * * *

One thing I know I’ve gotten right, and mentioned several times this year, Louisville is at its best, and will only make a deep tourney run, if Peyton Siva is on the court.

He still makes some really sophomoric decisions. Yet he most always rises to the occasion. Which is what leaders do, and Siva is nothing if not the leader of this team.

12 points. 6 assists. 3 rebounds. 7 steals. Only 2 turnovers.

One thing I know I’ve gotten right, and mentioned several times this year — I apologize for patting myself on the back twice in this section — Louisville will only make a deep tourney run, if, when the offensive turns moribund (as is its wont), Russ Smith turns into RUSS SMITH. Okay, I’ll say it, though I’ve taken to loathe the term, when he turns Russdiculous.

Like the sequence about five minutes into the second half, when Smith returned to the court after ND had cut the Cards lead to three, 34-31. He immediately canned a jumper. Then assisted Dieng, who put it in the cup. A few minutes later, the lead was again down to three, but Smith found Luke in the corner for a trey. Then he snared a board, missed one of his ill-advised layup attempts, then made one.

The kid is irrepressible. (One more shout out for my favorite photo of the year. Russ and Peyton with their arms around a smiling, bemused Bill Clinton . . . with their tongues out.)

Smith tallied 20. On 8/14 shooting. Dished out 6 assists.

Bilas and Raftery were effusive in their praise.

* * * * *

That leadership notwithstanding, it was a team effort.

Blackshear got the Cards going with 5 early.

Behanan tallied all 7 of his points in the 2d half, including 3/4 at the line.

Gorgui Dieng, against that substanial puke green height and girth in the middle, had another ho hum 8 and 12 game.

Our new favorite player, Luke Hancock, added 11. He was 3/3 from downtown.

The Cards were a steady 12/17 at the line. I love that they hit their last 7 in the final minute, including 3 of 4 by Behanan.

* * * * *

Though Notre Dame was obviously tired, it was still able to dictate the tenor of the game.

It’s a testament to Louisville that it adjusted and prevailed.

Next: A road game against Syracuse. For a title. And a final tournament tuneup.

– Seedy K

Revised 3/15 10:00 am

(In the dulcet voice of Bill Graham, introducing a group at the Filmore.) “Ladies and gentlemen, the Louisville Cardinals.”

Last night’s performance was the paradigm of this edition of the Cardinals, the essence of ’12-’13 U of L.

Defense so suffocating at times, it could take your breath away. It certainly did the Wildcats. 25 turnovers forced, including 12 swipes. 58 deflections, a record for a Pitino team. 39% shooting for the losers, including 2/12 from downtown.

At times, a lot of times, ‘Nova looked like the Keystone Kops, pratfalling, whirling and swirling and hurling the rock hither and yon, all to no avail. Jay Wright’s guys’ eyes were often cartoonish question marks.

On offense, Louisville’s seminal mediocrity was on display. The Cards committed 18 gaffes themselves, dropping balls, throwing it away, wasting opportunities.

U of L had already forced a turnover a minute, eight minutes into the game. Yet only led 20-13.

Jay Bilas: “Louisville should be killing Villanova.”

When this happens, as it often does, Solution Numero Uno is Russ to the Rescue. Most of the time it works. It certainly did last night, as Smith tallied 28 on an efficient 7/12 from the field, including 4/6 from long range, and 10/11 at the line.

That, Card fans, is this team in microcosm.

* * * * *

Here’s how Louisville stumbled out of the gate.

Missed 3 Blackshear. Turnover Smith. Turnover Siva. Turnover Dieng. Steal Siva. Turnover Siva. Missed 3 Siva.

Finally at the 16:18 mark, Blackshear hit a trey, cutting the deficit to 3-4. (Note: When Wayne doesn’t drift sideways, which unfortunately he does far too often, and when he’s squared to the basket, he hits a stunning percentage of his long balls. Which is to say his shooting woes are technically correctable.)

At which juncture, as is his wont, The Rick subbed Hancock for Blackshear. Luke immediately canned a threeball. 6-4, Cardinals, a lead they never relinquished.

* * * * *

Have I mentioned Louisville’s defense was stifling?

So I have.

‘Nova had to call a timeout 6:30 into the game, after a 7-2 Cardinal run. They called another 19 seconds later, when a Wildcat was trapped in a corner. And were forced to call their third, 1:19 later, to save a possession.

Louisville set traps as if The Rick had brought in survival maven Bear Grylls to tutor the Cards. There were many possessions when Ryan Arcidiacono and his mates had . . . nowhere . . . to . . . go . . . nowhere . . . to . . . turn . . . nowhere . . . to . . . hide.

* * * * *

Not sure there are really any other noteworthy stats, beside Smith’s line.

I liked Stephan Van Treese’s 8 boards off the bench. Turning Gorgui Dieng into a non-factor was obviously part of Jay Wright’s game plan. It worked for the most part. GD pulled down only 3 rebounds and scored but 6 points. The Wildcats outscored U of L in the paint, 34-18.

Peyton hit 3 of 6 threes.

Okay, well, yeah, I guess U of L’s 10/24 three-point shooting is pretty impressive.

* * * * *

With each game, more evidence is presented how wrong I have been about Luke Hancock. He has an unorthodox, shouldn’t he be playing in a Tuesday Night League at the Y game. But he is savvy, and fundamentally sound. And an offensive catalyst. Though he remains a detriment on D when Louisville is playing man to man.

* * * * *

One other reality that’s becoming clearer.

Chane Behanan has hands of clay.

* * * * *

The Cardinals were aided by a very forgiving officiating crew. Truth is all the Big East games yesterday were brutal. Much of the time, it was No Blood, No Foul. (A notable exception was Dieng’s third personal last night. He was clearly set way outside the arc, drew a charge, but was called for a block.)

Jay Bilas: “The referees aren’t watching the game, frankly.”

This tendency to let ‘em play is to the Cardinals’ advantage in the Big East. Problem is, in the Dance, the zebras will be from different conferences, which tend to call the game closer.

* * * * *

Of course, I have to mention the Cards’ uniforms. After opining in a blog yesterday that the Zubaz duds might cost them a chance at the national crown.

Actually, I liked the t-shirt look. Homage to Evansville’s Purple Aces, Lou Henson’s New Mexico State squads and Elgin Baylor’s Seattle team.

The shorts still look like Kilts by Versace.

At least they’re not as bad as Cincy’s version, nor Notre Dame’s.

U of L will wear the white version again tonight as the higher seeded team.

* * * * *

Does Bill Clinton still like to talk, or what?

* * * * *

In honor of the Cardinals’ most trapping defense of the season, I’ll leave you with this musical interlude:

– Seedy K

For weeks now, I’ve been complaining that The Rick has given Luke “Best Player on the Team” Hancock undeserved playing time, while not allowing SF cohort Wayne Blackshear to play his way to confidence.

During halftime yesterday, another Hancock naysayer and I admitted to each other that it’s obvious Hancock has been bringing more to the hardwood in the last couple of weeks than Blackshear.

Hancock at Syracuse displayed toughness and tenacity and a will to win, which Pitino has assured the fans was present, but hadn’t appeared until recently. (None of us outside the closed Cardinal family knew the extent of his shoulder injury.)

Luke Hancock and Kevin Ware were the Players of the Game, and the reason for victory . . . along with Gorgui and Russ.

U of L’s bench (including Van Treese and Silent L) were 7/10 from the field, including 5/7 from beyond the arc. Reserves grabbed 10 of the Cardinals’ 36 rebounds, grabbing 4 of the Cards’ 9 swipes.

Luke’s line of 12 points and 2 steals hardly tells the tale. When the game was knotted @ 48, he stole the inbounds Orange pass. After a Cardinal timeout, he dropped in a trey on a great assist from Russ Smith for a 51–48 advantage.

(At this juncture, let me take a moment to praise Rick Pitino’s coaching. Unlike the vast majority of his college coaching brethren, Pitino was savvy enough to go 2 for 1. Hancock fired away at :53, meaning U of L would have had 18 seconds, had Syracuse converted. Plus Louisville ran a number of new attacks against the Syracuse zone.)

Back to Luke. As he has done before, he went for it. He was called for two offensive fouls in the last segment of the game, both of which were sketchy whistles at best.

As for Kevin Ware, well, his glossy numbers (8 points, 5 boards, a steal and a block) hardly tell his tale.

With the Cards up 5, but still plenty of time for Syracuse to come back — more than half a minute — Ware stole the ball from Brandon Triche, made a FT to push the Cards lead to 54-48, and two more to re-secure a six point advantage at 56-50. Twice early in the second half, Syracuse grabbed the lead, and Ware immediately tallied to retake it.

* * * * *

It was an eerily even game from a statistical standpoint.

Both squads shot 36% from the field. Louisville was 35% from beyond the arc vs. 39%. Rebounds were 36 to 41. FT shooting on both sides was less than stellar, 58% vs. 66%. Both teams had 14 assists. Louisville had that many turnovers, the Orange, 2 more. Four blocks to five. Nine blocks to six.

Which tells me that, like ‘Cuse’s W earlier this season in the Yum!, the visiting team was more steely at crunch time.

Yesterday, that was the University of Louisville Cardinals. The home team was outscored 10-5 in the final 1:39.

* * * * *

The Cards pushed out to a 7 point advantage, 47-40, on Luke trey with 5:36 on the clock.

A Kevin Ware three went down, came out. Syracuse went on an 8-0 run, taking the lead with 2:52 to play.

From that point on, the Cards were,if not spectacular, seriously solid. Hancock’s offensive “fouls” were acts of aggressiveness. Russ had a steal. Russ rebounded his own missed FT. Chane had an offensive board. Ware had that steal. Ware and Smith drained the Cards’ last four FTs, when it mattered, without a miss.

* * * * *

Gorgui Dieng, ho hum, had 11 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals.

Russ Smith has 18 points, 5 assists, a steal and 2 rebounds.

Louisville was alert from the get go. Passing was much more crisp against the long Orange zone than during the first encounter of the season. U of L had a four point halftime lead, despite 1/15 shooting from Siva, Blackshear and Behanan.

* * * * *

I’ve got to chat about my man Wayne Blackshear for a moment.

It appears he’s playing timidly, without confidence. He’s drifting sideways on many of his shots. He hit a three yesterday. Then airballed his next attempt and went MIA.

I’m advised by someone who observed a full practice last week that Rick Pitino was on Blackshear’s case incessantly. While I haven’t enough info to say this is part of the reason for Blackshear’s mediocre play, I’d opine that perhaps some nurturing might be in order.

* * * * *

I agree with The Rick. Peyton Siva’s game was simply a throwaway. His shots weren’t falling. He was bothered by Syracuse’s length. Despite going ofer from the field, he had four assists, a rebound and a steal.

– Seedy K

“If you want to be a good basketball team, you have to go inside out.”

The gotcha is that the coach is Jeff Walz, mentor of the U of L women’s team which beat Seton Hall 72-62. Not Rick Pitino, whose men’s squad battered its third cellar-dwelling rummy in a row.

At one point during the Cardinals’ decisive but inelegant victory, I jotted this down: “Passing O – Rarely open shot without dribble.”

There has been significantly less PG dribbling in the half court offense in the last couple weeks. It’s a heartening trend.

But, to what end? So that Behanan or Dieng gets the ball with his back to the hoop too far out for a flip hook? And, neither never — okay, maybe not never, but pretty close to never — throws that quick inside out pass and gets it back for an easier shot closer to the hoop. Or, for the reverse skip pass for an open trey.

Which is my passive aggressive way of noting that this Cardinal team still has a long way to go, half court offensively speaking. More than before, the team will pass the ball five, six times or more without overdribbling by whomever is at point, but the end still doesn’t seem to ratify the means. At the end of the sequence, Peyton or Russ or Kevin usually wind up having to dribble to a spot for a shot.

Shouldn’t there be plays where Chane or Wayne or Luke or Kevin get the ball in a comfort zone where they can just set and fire without putting the ball on the floor?

* * * * *

But, I’m not here just to complain.

Here’s a stat and explanation therefor that should bring joy to the Red & Black faithful.

Silent L was 5/7 from the field.

Because Siva and Smith were able to penetrate the Blue Demons D, draw attention and slip the ball deftly to Harrell for easy slams. Because Siva and Smith actually completed those passes.

Russ, when attempting assists which are beyond his default predilection, still throws it away more often than one would like in such instances. But less than he used to. That those passes are coming is positive trend.

What strikes me about Montrezl is that, despite his appearance of being ripped, he still needs to get stronger, so he can take the ball and defender into the hoop instead of getting blocked, as he does more than it seems he should.

* * * * *

It seems fair to blame Louisville’s day-of-game travel weariness for its annoying, sloppy performance.

Louisville played its usual pesky D. The Cards blocked 7 shots and stole the ball 12 times, forcing 19 Blue Demon turnovers.

The yin and yang is that U of L committed 18 turnovers and had 5 shots blocked.

Against a woeful team like DePaul, they can get away with that. Against NCAA-caliber squads, they cannot.

The Cardinals went 25/31 at the line. Remember what I said previously, kids, the NCAA champion shall be determined by free throws.

Louisville won the rebound battle, 46-33, but gave up as many offensive boards, 17, as it grabbed.

* * * * *

While it was the correct call when the zebras reversed the charge on Chane’s monster slam for a converted +1, I’m just not sure I’ve ever seen it done before.

* * * * *

Peyton Siva has to be on the floor when it matters. (You heard that before?)

His silly fouls could become the Cards’ Achilles heel.

DePaul made a late run, cutting their deficit to 8.

With four fouls, Peyton returned to the floor. Hit two FTs. Assisted on a Dieng jumper. Stole the ball after a Silent L follow slam, then fed Russ for a bunny. Followed by scoring a layup.

Siva’s return resulted in that 10-0 run for an insurmountable 18 point advantage.

* * * * *

All in all, it was a more than acceptable, workmanlike effort in front of a sparse Chitown crowd. The team survived travel woes — the players had hollow eyes during several of the timeouts — and Jim Burr.

The Cards were behind the 8 ball early, 0-8. But then ran off 10 straight points in a minute and ten seconds, and never looked back.

On a night when Michigan showed what happens to teams not stalwart enough on the road in late February, and Georgetown, displaying true grit, survived under similar tough circumstance, Louisville did what needed to be done against a lesser foe away from home.

* * * * *

Of ESPN’s second-tier announcing teams, Adam Amin and Tim Welsh, are top shelf. They deserve elevation.

* * * * *

Louisville has jumped to 2d in Jeff Sagarin’s computer rankings, and remains at #3 in Ken Pomeroy’s. The Cards have jumped a spot to #7 in the realtime rpi ranks, and have moved to the top of the third line in a consensus compilation of bracketologists.

U of L is 3-4 against teams currently in the AP top 25, and is one of less than handful of schools without a double digit loss.

Saturday’s game in the Carrier Dome is a litmus test.

– Seedy K

More on that interaction, after a breakdown, such as it is, of the slogfest W over woeful Seton Hall.

* * * * *

Not sure there’s a lot of insight to be gained from Louisville’s workmanlike 18 point victory.

The return and enhancement of Gorgui Dieng’s 15 foot jumper is obviously a great sign. U of L’s pivotman was 10/11 from the field. along with 8 boards. 3 blocks. 2 steals.

All in all, a most splendid performance.

Luke Hancock went 4/4 from the field, hitting all three of his treys. He also had three assists. Plus he didn’t catch a cold after several Pirates blew by him, when he was attempting to play man D.

My guy Wayne Blackshear was MIA. He committed two fouls early, and sat a lot in the first half. Got his 3d 12 seconds into the 2d half, and was, well, like I said, nowhere to be found.

Nothing else really jumps out from the stat sheet.

Except, perhaps, 20/26 at the line, including Russ’s perfect 10/10. (The more hoops I watch this season, the more I believe the national title is going to be won and lost at the charity stripe. UK sealed the deal last night over Mizzou at the line. Michigan State lost to IU at the line. Florida lost to Missouri at the line. Etc, etc. It is a recurring theme.)

The not so good. Seton Hall outscored the Cards in the paint. Louisville only turned the 21 Pirate turnovers into 3 fast break points, and 17 total.

Other than that, well, my notes from the game about the action — or lack thereof — are pretty sparse. Not much memorable took place.

Which is not meant as a plaint. Just to show that Louisville wasn’t on full alert, and played down to the level of its seriously incapable opponent. (Sad to observe, that Kevin Willard hasn’t done a lot of turning around there . . . yet. I know Bobby Gonzalez left him a heap o’ heap, but still, this is a really bad team.)

Yet it was a Cardinal W. U of L stands 22-5, still 3d in Ken Pomeroy’s and Jeff Sagarin’s ratings, 6th in Real Time RPI and a consensus 3 seed at Bracket Matrix, with a chance to move up to the 2d line.

But, remember this as the regular season winds down and we head into the glorious time of year known as tournament time. Xs and 0s in a computer mean nada. Xs and 0s on a coach’s chalkboard mean little. The games are won and lost on the hardwood.

* * * * *

Now, for a trip down memory lane. (I know, I’ve always made fun of Earl Cox, when he’ll pull out one more Wah Wah Jones story. But, hey, it’s what we old farts do.)

Don Goldstein, who played for Peck Hickman from ’56-’59, was my Cardinal hero. He tallied 1016 points in his three year career. (Freshman were ineligible back then), and snared 868 boards. He was a Helms Foundation All-American his senior year, during which the Cardinals upset Kentucky and Michigan State in the Mideast Regional in Evanston to make it to the Final Four.

I asked him yesterday if he guarded Oscar Robertson in the consolation game? “Yes, and I held him to 36.

“I also held Wilt Chamberlain to 56 in a high school game. I told that story in the fall when I was inducted into the New York High School Hall of Fame. Everybody laughed . . . until I reminded them that Wilt once scored 100 against the Knicks.”

Bud Olsen was also a 1000 point scorer from ’59-’62, averaging 20.8 his senior season. He played on the Cardinal team that came within a missed jumper of upsetting top-ranked, Jerry Lucas and John Havlicek-led Ohio State in the ’61 Mideast Regional.

He was the best passing big man who ever wore a Cardinal uni. When I gave him credit for that, he smiled and said, “You know they didn’t keep assist stats back then.”

While The Rick was barking at his charges on the court, I asked the duo if Peck Hickman ever yelled instructions while the ball was in play?

Olsen: “He never talked to us while we were on the court.”

Goldstein, who hails from Brooklyn: “I never understood a word he said anyway, anytime.”

I asked the guys if they ever pressed, like Pitino’s teams do?

Goldstein: “One season, I was always so tired, I could hardly walk.”

When I suggested that the cigarette smoky arenas and playing in the arch support-less Converse Chucks might have been a factor, Olsen chimed in.

“One year, George Mikan talked Peck into using Keds. They were even worse. They were too wide.”

There was a famous U of L game with Seton Hall in the 50s, when a fight broke out at the Armory, that included some of the crowd. Neither played in that game, which occurred before their playing days.

Goldstein: “I remember reading about it in Life Magazine.”

Seton Hall’s star was an All-American center named Walter Dukes.

Olsen: “I was playing for San Francisco in the NBA. They brought in Dukes to take my place.

“He didn’t do it. They cut him.”

During the game, at halftime and after the final buzzer, several former Cardinals stopped by to chat up the duo. Jadie Frazier. Jerry King. And the guy I love to call U of L Baskeball’s great trivia question, Bill Windchy. He was Wes Unseld’s backup.

When Olsen reintroduced Windchy to Goldstein, he reached over and grabbed Goldstein and said, “I remember you. You were one tough son of a bitch.”

– Seedy K

While statistics never tell the entire tale, they help illuminate a team’s strengths and weaknesses.

On occasion, they also lie. Which happened yesterday.

I also believe in the eye test.

Watching how a game, or the games within a game, unfold, provides significant perspective.

On occasion, the eye test also lies. Which happened yesterday.

The official stat sheet marks Russ Smith with two turnovers in the last minute of the first half. Twice my eyes watched him throw the ball away. First on a breakout after he’d snared a rebound on a missed Bull trey. Again, after he grabbed another board when Harrell blocked a SoFla attempted dunk.

On both occasions, the Cards had numbers and Smith simply wasn’t able to successfully deliver the rock to a teammate for layup.

Anyone who remembers what Smith did at the end of the 4th OT in South Bend, as well as those who have watched him keep the ball all the way to the hoop throughout the season while ignoring open teammates, understands why those gaffes yesterday are a reason for hope.

Smith kept his head up, his eyes open and tried to make the correct play, instead of going for the streetball score as is his wont.

Despite the lack of execution yesterday — it will come — those two “turnovers” were indeed a positive sign for the Cardinals. Smith was trying to feed his mates. It’s a good thing.

* * * * *

After the game, Rick Pitino praised U of L’s ball movement. He liked how the Cards passed the ball.

I’m inclined to praise the coach also. It was apparent that Louisville was running sets designed for more passing, less dribbling. Early on, the Cards were also adamant about getting the ball inside, though that waned somewhat once the game was in hand.

* * * * *

Those of you who read me here know I love Wayne Blackshear and want to see him on the floor more.

I also think Kevin Ware can contribute a lot to U of L’s success. (Especially next season and beyond after he’s spent the summer working on his ball handling skills.)

So I was pleased as punch with the sequence yesterday when U of L took charge after falling behind 8-11. Kevin Ware threeball. Wayne Blackshear pull up J. Blackshear board. Ware jumper. Another Ware J. Blackshear offensive board and follow slam. Another Blackshear dunk, this time at the end of a fast break which commenced with a Smith steal, pass to Siva, assist to Siva. Blackshear cans 2 FTs. Blackshear steal, resulting in a Smith follow deuce.

After which 17-3 run, totally dominated by Ware and Blackshear, the Cardinals had the game in hand, 25-14.

Blackshear also closed the door once and for all in the 2d half. The Bulls crept within 6 at 36-30. The Rick reinserted Wayne in the lineup for Luke Hancock (rarely a bad move). After Smith hit two charity tosses, and a flurry of activity, Blackshear stole a pass and took it the length of the floor. Slam. 40-31. Any thoughts the home team had of coming back were extinguished.

* * * * *

Louisville had significant advantages in almost all sub categories. Points in the paint (32-14), points off the bench (21-11. Ware and Blackshear didn’t start, even though ESPN showed Wayne’s face over Hancock’s name.) , fast break points (12-2), and points off turnovers (23-12).

The one aspect where Louisville didn’t play up to par was 2d chance points. They led that category 10-8, but allowed the Bulls 16 offensive boards.

Once again I’d call for the Cards to block out better. But since I’ve gotten on my high horse about that fundamental, I’ve noticed nationwide that the zebras often call fouls on guys simply for putting their butt in a foe’s belly to keep him off the boards.

Behanan missed two FTs early, Silent L, a couple late. The team canned the rest of them to go 13/17 at the line.

Louisville was only 2/13 from long range, proving you can control a game even if the treys aren’t dropping.

* * * * *

Much has been made, justifiably so, of Chane Behanan’s marvelous hustle save of a ball going out of bounds and subsequent 25 foot behind the back assist to Russ under the hoop. It was indeed sweet. Not to mention it gave the Cards an 18 point cushion with 7:51 to play.

But there was a tit for tat. Russ returned the favor, going behind his back to Chane for a layup a few moments later for a 57-35 Louisville lead.

* * * * *

Louisville for the most part played really good defense, generating 16 turnovers, while nabbing 10 steals and blocking 8 shots.

* * * * *

Because we watch so much hoops on the telly, we develop our faves and undesirables when it comes to announcers. At least, I do.

Like Gus Johnson on the plus side, whom I love, even though it was most odd to hear him doing a Champions League fixture last week on Fox Soccer. And Bill Walton, whose over the top exuberance and willingness to say anything about anybody, is so welcome. And Jay Bilas, even though he’s a Dookie, because he’s so insightful and articulate.

Then there’s Bob “The Voice of Big East Basketball” Wenzel, who is as cloying and unprepared as they come. His “facts” are too often wrong, and delivered with volume cranked louder than Pete Townsend’s guitar.

When he called Pitino “a magician” at the top of yesterday’s telecast, I wanted to barf.

Rich Hollenberg wasn’t much better. He dubbed the half full arena, a “near capacity crowd.” And, segueing in after a timeout when South Florida was making its second half run, he said the Cards were “comfortably ahead,” which at that moment, they were not.

* * * * *

Two walkovers coming up — Seton Hall and DePaul — before the regular season closes with three serious tilts in a row.

– Seedy K

]]> http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/02/18/louisville-card-file-south-florida-8/feed/ 5 http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/02/15/louisville-card-file-st-johns-5/ http://score.leoweekly.com/2013/02/15/louisville-card-file-st-johns-5/#comments Fri, 15 Feb 2013 15:32:14 +0000 c d kaplan http://score.leoweekly.com/?p=8261 My three favorite moments last night mostly came with the clock stopped. Off the court.

During his post game interview with Paul Rogers as “Star of the Game,” Russ Smith, when asked whether he had really posted the internet apology for his poor play at Notre Dame, said (to paraphrase), “Yes. I take full responsibility for my bad play.”

What a stand up kid. If only his coach could display the same humility and responsibility.

The second came during last night’s edition of the inane interviews the crowd must endure during one of the second half timeouts. Roger Burkman and Wiley Brown, members of the ’80 title team, were asked about that year.

Wiley said he specifically remembers the “excitement we generated,” and “we invented the High Five.”

In a moment of self deprecation, he continued, “For me, it was a High Four and Half.” (For you youngsters tuned in, the forward has a missing thumb, and played with a prosthetic one. Which, adding to Cardinal lore, had to be retrieved from a dumpster before the championship game, after it had been inadvertently tossed away.)

After confirming U of L’s claim to fame as the birthplace of the High Five, Brown then jacked up the then moribund gathering, leading a C*A*R*D*S cheer.

And, the one that actually came when the ball was in play: Peyton Siva’s hustling end to end dash for the final deuce of the opening half.

* * * * *

Okay, there was another memorable moment off the court.

During their routine, the 79 time National Champion Ladybirds, danced to the lyrics, “make it nasty.” The suitably pornographic moves of the young ladies stirred the emotions of the male of the species throughout the stands.

The Ladybirds forge ahead in grand fashion, enhancing one of the great traditions of college sports.

* * * * *

Which brings me to . . . oh yes . . . the game itself.

The sequence of the game that most typifies this edition of the Cardinals is the one commencing with 7:43 to play, after the Johnnies cut the score to 53-43 on a made jumper.

During the next three minutes plus, the Cards went missed layup, turnover, turnover, missed 3, missed 3, missed dunk, missed jumper. They did hit 3 of 5 FTs.

But, at the other end of the court, Louisville stopped St. John’s on 6 consecutive possessions, before Marco Bourgault finally canned a trey, cutting the visitor’s deficit back to 10.

If this Louisville team makes a run in March and April, the success will have to be generated at the defensive end. They must consistently stop their opponents from scoring during prolonged offensive droughts that are endemic to this ’12-’13 edition of the Cards.

* * * * *

Louisville opened the second stanza still in the locker room, allowing St. John’s to tally 10 straight unanswered, totally erasing a 9 point advantage at the break.

Flying in to save the day, the Effective Russdiculous. (After two Wayne Blackshear FTs.)

Smith scored the Cardinals’ next 12 points. Threeball (ignoring a wide open Silent L under the hoop.) Threeball. Jumper. FT. FT. Jumper. Which skein reinstated U of L’s nine point lead, and command of the proceedings.

* * * * *

Even though Louisville knew from the scouting report that the Johnnies are serious shot blockers — 7.6 bpg is 2d best in the nation — they took it to the hoop early. Three layups were blocked, another missed because of the threat thereof.

* * * * *

Louisville’s halftime advantage was mostly attributable to its 10 offensive boards and 6-0 advantage in 2d chance points. The good guys outrebounded the visitors by 8 on the night.

* * * * *

Before I could even get this breakdown posted, I heard from loyal reader and salient observer Smart Guy. His comment was short and to the point: “What I found notable was the Siva/Smith combo, in their 65 minutes, had 36 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 steals…and one foul.”

Russ committed nary a turnover. Peyton only two, against 6 assists. Plus, Siva, whose dad was in the house, blocked a shot.

Gorgui Dieng had 17 rebounds, 10 points, 2 blocks and a steal.

Chane Behanan had a solid 10 point, 8 board outing.

U of L was 23/30 at the line, +18 over the visitors, who were 5/7.

* * * * *

If not held back by the mediocrity of Steve Lavin’s coaching, St. John’s shall be a force to be reckoned with in seasons to come.

The visitors played 7 guys last night. The breakdown by class. 2 sophomores. 5 freshman. If they can recruit some quality bulk for the frontcourt, watch out.

My pithy comment about Lavin’s coaching abilities notwithstanding, I’ve always admired the guy. Loved him as an announcer, when he always added some pop cultural context to the proceedings.

I also love the way he’s taking a legitimate break to grieve the passing of his father. None of this manly man “my dad would want me to be on the sidelines” crap.

* * * * *

It was apparent that Pitino is sticking to the pick and roll. But with increased emphasis on giving it up to a big underneath at the end of the play. Unfortunately last night, some low, off target passes and bad hands skewed the strategy.

* * * * *

One down, six to go, on The Rick’s “We need to win 7 in a row” strategy.

U of L “should” win out in February, before it visits the Carrier Dome. @ South Florida, Seton Hall in the Yum!, @ DePaul.

Let’s see if the Cardinals stay the course?

– Seedy K