If you looked only at the final score, one might be tempted to think the win came almost too easily. That would be a mistake. The 20-point margin of victory was only possible because the Cards committed themselves to play 40 minutes of hellish defense.
Rotating, switching, anticipating, unrelenting, sliding those feet.
Small wonder the alma mater of Steve Novak and Travis Diener could not hit a three-point shot in a game for the first time since the 2000-01 season. Making two of their first 16 shots, managing only six points in the first 11 minutes of the first half. Averaging more than 80 points a game but held to only 51 points.
Marquette knew the visiting team often wins in this rivalry. The few times the Cards did relax, they saw how quickly the Golden Eagles could get back into a game, cutting U of L’s lead down to six points early in the second half. Marquette had 10 fast break points, U of L had four. The Cards had 16 turnovers, the Golden Eagles had only 13.
Jerry Smith missed all seven of his field goal attempts but was indispensible. Played 37 minutes of in-your-face defense, rarely allowing a shot, much less a three-point attempt. The U of L big men and, yes, that includes Derrick Caracter, are making it difficult for their counterparts around the basket. Started early in the UK game and continues.
You never notice Terrence Williams on defense but he must be doing his job or he wouldn’t be in — scoring 20 points to lead all scorers. David Padgett may have said it best. “If we keep playing good defense, and continue to work on our offense, we can be a pretty good team.”
We Creaned ’em!
Dominating!
We won both halves again.
Wave after wave of big, talented bodies (like LL says, I can’t remember Cards ever before having that depth in front court)
Weak link Sosa continues to look better…last 3 games his assists/turnovers about even
In the second half, T Will was brilliant
And David Padgett…just unbelievable.
In my book, it’s now officially a
RUN !
And, we have an immediate test for a true champion–
win on the road with little rest, against a tough opponent, and right after the emotion of a big rivalry game.
I’m still pinching myself.
Today was one of the first days in a while that I felt truly optimistic about our chances to win the game. However, I did not think 20 points would be the final margin of victory!
I about came out of my seat when Preston Knowles got the ball, faked a pass and threw a defender way off his guard, and sunk a sweet mid-range jumper.
Gee–It would seem that Rick Pitino didn’t suddenly get dumb or soft or unprincipled after all…
All you doubters and naysayers, take note–this is what Rick envisioned for the year before the injuries. Now if we can only stay healthy.