Destiny may still find a way for the University of Louisville to be the number four seed in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament next week. If so, that would be a significant accomplishment for a team with so many inconsistencies and weaknesses.
The shortcomings obvious in a 71-59 loss to Notre Dame, a game attended by more than 21,000 fans despite falling snow and predictions of between six to 10 inches of accumulation. A large percentage of the fans clinging to hope that UofL will still get it together for another post-season run.
They had a brief glimpse of promise in the second half with the Cardinals overcoming an 11-point deficit to tie the score in the first four minutes. It also included an extended flashback of UofL’s vaunted defense, holding Notre Dame without a field goal for almost 10 minutes.
The good was offset by an inability to find open shots, much less hit them. Notre Dame would keep attacking the basket, however, until it found its rhythm, exposing the holes and inadequacies in the current defensive unit.
There would be only two points from the Louisville bench, those coming from Anas Mahmoud, with UofL being outscored 21 to 2 in that category. Somehow, only two points and four rebounds from the center position between Mahmoud, Chinanu Onuaku and Mangok Mathiang. Even Terrence Jennings would look good by comparison.
Terry Rozier, looking a shadow of his former self, perhaps distracted by all the NBA speculation, making bad decisions, overdribbling, taking bad shots, turning the ball over three times. His five assists in the box score prompting a double take.
If Wayne Blackshear was expected to emerge after his encouraging performance against Florida State, he would again disappoint his staunchest supporters. Rick Pitino wanted more “paint touches” out of him, but he seem to turn the ball over every time he touched the paint.
Montrezl Harrell will always set the standard for UofL’s power forwards, refusing to be denied when he gets near the basket, with probably one of his best games against one of the better opponents — 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Harrell’s performance, as good as it was, would have been enough to ensure a win on most nights. But in this game, it only serve to underscore the many shortcomings challenging Louisville basketball at present.