Chances for a storybook ending to the 2015-16 season were lost for the University of Louisville when the school adopted a post-season tournament ban. A season when anything seemed possible, including a bid for a fourth national title.
With chances for another NCAA title going away, the focus shifted to another goal, capturing another big prize. A consolation prize, for sure, but one that carried significant prestige, a potential milestone in UofL history — an Atlantic Coast Conference regular season trophy. It would have been a great addition on Floyd Street, underscoring UofL’s status as one of college basketball’s premier program.
The odds against that happening this season are remote now, with UofL dropping the 75-63 decision at Miami. Those last few minutes closely resembling recent road losses to Notre Dame and Duke, with UofL unable to score and losing its defensive intensity down the stretch. Not a typical Rick Pitino-coached team on the road, losing its composure, losing its way, losing its identity.
One could see chances for an ACC title slipping away late in the second half, with UofL managing only one field goal in the last five minutes. Trey Lewis, who wound up with 13 points, couldn’t buy a basket, missing four field goal attempts during the scoring drought. Damion Lee, on the other hand, closely contained, looking lost, with six points, only two in the second half.
Shots going up from all angles, hard shots, air balls, one hitting the side of the backboard, all predictable misses during those final five minutes. No getting the ball in the paint, not that anyone seemed to be trying, anything goes. No stopping Miami’s Angel Rodriguez, with the never-changing expression, with the predictable crip shot, taunting UofL’s defense, making the hard shots look easy for him.
As a result, it’s pretty clear now there won’t be any new trophies arriving at Floyd Street this season. Not a bad season, with UofL owning a 22-6 record overall and 11-5 in the AC, some nice highs but more than a few lows. A couple of games remain — against Georgia Tech at home on Tuesday and against Virginia on the road Saturday. Virginia on the road can’t be much fun.
A disappointing end to the 2015-16 season, no matter what happens in the final two games.