One assist in a game where assists are essential, a lack of focus on the fundamentals, 40 minutes of panic on offense, the University of Louisville basketball team unable to establish any momentum, apparently content to keep it close.
Too big an underdog not to play loose and aggressive, wanting and willing a win. That’s how rivalry games are supposed to be decided.
Kentucky winning 58-50 by virtue of nine assists, more than half of them to Tyler Ulis, unaffected by the racous atmosphere, sinking five of eight field goals, including two three-point daggers.
When and if UofL Coach Rick Pitino reviews the game film with his team, he may want to focus on the blue team, moving the ball around to find the open shooter. Doesn’t matter who you’re playing, find the open man. Against a team as tall as UK, move the ball, find a teammate.
Chris Jones was credited with the one assist, one that nobody remembers. Taking too much on himself as usual, wandering in among the trees, throwing up 12 blanks in 15 tries. Incapable of taking his team on his shoulders, but unable to concede leadership to Terry Rozier.
Rozier, not blameless for the lack of assists, possibly not making himself available often enough, finding the basket on five of 18 shots, four of four free-throw attempts. Like Jones, making too many contested shots, not looking for teammates.
Wayne Blackshear needed a game like this to show some progress but he wasn’t up to the task, still needing more time, running out of it. Making only two of nine field goal attempts, six of nine free throw attempts, including two misses at the end typical of his career thus far.
Montrezl Harrell just up against too many big people in the middle, keying on him, matching him step for step, still managing nine points and eight rebounds.
Shaquan Aaron probably should have seen more playing time, a player like Ulis unaffected by the environment, a pure shooter, the only pure shooter on this team, but we will never know whether he would have gotten the ball in a one-assist game. Good for one three-pointer on two shots.
Anas Mahmoud could have supplied the cool, unaffected attitude that seemed so lacking. All that development in the past two games apparently not for this opponent.
Three or four more assists may or may not have made a difference but it would have far better than next to none.
Sorry Charlie,
These Cards just can’t deliver. No point guard doesn’t help. Bad decisions, poor communications, and two seniors with big hearts but poor basketball IQ, add in a consistent lack of offense, and you end up with a loss.
Gotta give Kudos to the Cats. They played tremendous defense and made the shots that were critical. The Cards, on the other hand, CHOKED!
I have several questions for CRP. But as a lowly fan, have no way of getting answers.
Why wasn’t David Levitch and other “bench players” not used more? Why does Chris Jones continue to NOT PLAY point. He cannot make it to the pros if he tries to be a scorer. He continuously makes bad decisions, which do not impress Pro scouts. He is not a reliable shooter from 20′ out and he hates to pass. It appears he wants to be a Russ Smith type of player, just doesn’t have the skill set.
Suffice it to say I’m impressed by Kentucky, unimpressed by Louisville’s offensive progress. Curious about CRP rotation and looking forward to the rest of the season.
Go Cards!!!
Some of the same questions I have JustCards. What we’re missing is a player with the patience of Siva who will wait and see what the defense makes available. Kentucky was ready to be beaten Saturday. We didn’t demonstrate enough desire or patience to take advantage of what our defense was doing to them. Give Pitino time and this team could look much differently in March.