Louisville Confident In Dissecting Providence

No letdown following the rivalry encounter in Lexington, a conflict which will be remembered more as a maelstrom than a basketball game.

Whatever it was, the University of Louisville players put it behind them — exhibiting no hangover effects, racing to a 14-0 lead. Those kind of leads rarely hold up, resulting in overconfidence, lack of intensity, and sloppy play for the early front runner.

With a few minutes to think about it at the half, Rick Pitino’s team methodically dissected a Providence team that is going to surprise a few Big East teams. When the three-point shots are going in, Louisville will be more than competitive.

• Most encouraging, Mike Marra getting a ton of playing time, with 26 minutes, hitting three of five three-point shots. Playing with confidence, showing no fear amidst the elbows around the basket. A possible new dimension in the offense.

• Edgar Sosa making it look ridiculously easy at times, collecting 26 points, four assists and five rebounds. If he can get used to being good, this team can be a good one.

• Jared Swopshire almost robotic, never showing emotion, even when someone is attempting to ram an elbow in his face. Keep tinkering with the controls, coaches, and he may become a finely-turned machine. Just don’t ask him to get excited about it.

• Jerry Smith spends too much time imitating a tough guy rather than focusing on basketball on most nights. Focused on basketball in the second half, collecting all of his 14 points.

• Much of Samardo Samuels’ value coming from his being double teamed by teams reading outdated scouting reports, freeing up other players to score. Sometimes, sometimes not. Still blowing too many easy ones this game but collecting 17 points and nine rebounds. How about those three assists?

• Terrence Jennings just isn’t paying attention much of the time he’s out there but when he does, he’s a nightmare on the defensive end.

• Preston Knowles making life miserable for opposing guards again, finding a three-pointer at a good time.  Keep taking care that thumb.

• Kyle Kuric, missing in action, was he limping during the handshakes? If not, he should get minutes every game.

...

Paging Samardo Samuels

Somewhere within Samardo Samuels is the five-star player who was regarded as one of the top players in the country, the jewel of the University of Louisville’s 2008 basketball recruiting class: Strong on the boards, soft hands, pass catcher, rebounder, good shooter, and finisher. He needs to look within, find this guy and kick his rear end. If he fails to do so soon, any championship aspirations are probably for naught.

...

Louisville Maintains Focus, Shreds South Florida

Big East opener not requiring heavy doses of exertion, intensity or emotion. Out of the way, in the books.  Respecting the opponent, not looking past anyone. Louisville 73, South Florida 52.

• Not a momentum builder by any stretch of the imagination, but no one was looking past South Florida either, including the crowd, waiting until the 35 second mark to begin the “Beat UK” chant.

• Edgar Sosa is this team’s most dependable part, with the exception of a few misdirected passes in the early going. Following the sit down, going on to compile five assists, four rebounds, two steals and 16 points. His ultimate legacy, or lack of it, however,  may hinge on how he performs Saturday.

• U of L is more consistent when Jared Swopshire is in the lineup, if the South Florida game is any indication. He doesn’t get overly excited, which can be bad or good, depending on what’s going on around him. His improvement, if it continues, could be a major factor come March.

• The continuing inability of Samardo Samuels or Terrence Jennings to dominate any team with a recognizable name is distressing. The inexplicable inability to finish, missing seemingly easy two or three-foot shots painful to watch.

• Jerry Smith going down the middle is an adventure, defying predictability. Either looking great or klutzy. Where did that three-point shot go anyway?

• A star needs to be born Saturday, the most likely candidates Peyton Siva or Mike Mara.

• Preston Knowles will show up. Count on it.
  

Let the hype begin for the Louisville-Kentucky circus.

...

For Starters, A Win Over Arkansas

Good way to start the basketball season, against an undermanned opponent that will get much better when all the suspensions are lifted, making a University of Louisville 96-66 win over Arkansas difficult for the NCAA tournament selection committee to overlook in March.

• A deserved pasting for John Pelphrey, the Kentucky mountain man. Pelphrey having mental contortions, losing to the school he hates the most, coached by Rick Pitino, the man and coach he idolizes.
• Jared Swopshire the pleasant surprise. One never knows what Pitino is trying to accomplish when he says a player is the most improved. He was right for once, Swopshire a force on the boards with 13 rebounds. Good form on that three-pointer as well.
• Pitino may have been right, too, about Edgar Sosa being a changed man. Not one sulk to go with his five assists, three rebounds and 12 points. Played with high levels of confidence.
• Not a good debut for Mike Marra who Pitino said was the best high school shooter he has ever seen, not coming close on any of his four shots.
• The inside game still needs lots and lots of work, because it doesn’t come naturally for Samardo Samuels. Still playing far below the rim, getting pushed around. Not an offensive threat against legitimate teams when it counts.
• Reginald Delk didn’t let a year on the bench shake his psyche, 18 points for scoring honors. A role player playing his role to perfection.
• Peyton Siva providing a little preview of many good things to come with that reverse layup while taking a pounding.

...

Louisville Basketball Brings Expectations

Here we go again.

The University of Louisville basketball season arrives for real. And, yes, some lofty expectations accompany the season opener against Arkansas. Fans have quickly become accustomed to Elite Eights. Never mind that the analysts aren’t as optimistic.

Don’t doubt that it will take a while for this group to find its legs. A team doesn’t lose the likes of Terrence Williams, Earl Clark and Andre McGee and pick up where it left off. These departures, remember, included the top two scorers and a defensive legend.

• Throw in the entire Rick Pitino playbook from game one along with all of the Ralph Willard wrinkles, and there’s a huge learning curve ahead. Some heads are spinning, and ears are ringing.
• The really big questions about this team are the big guys. Samardo Samuels needs to have developed threefold during the off season to become an offensive force. Unless he has changed, Terrence Jennings is physical, but lacks coordination, predictability, consistency.
• Jared Swopshire has the fluidity and the body but not the confidence or shooting ability, at least not last season. Kyle Kuric plays like a big man trapped in a 6-foot-4 body. He would control the boards otherwise.
• Jerry Smith may be in the best shape of his career if reports of all the extra effort over the summer are accurate. If Smith returns in freshman form, he could erase the memory of those ball fakes.
• If it’s true that Edgar Sosa is a different person with a different mindset, it would be the third straight season.
• The only thing certain is that Preston Knowles and Peyton Siva will be instrumental in any success Louisville enjoys this season. Everything else is speculation.

*      *     *

A check of the roster indicates that former equipment manager Tim Sypher is now director of the Yum Center, and Vincent (Vinny) Tatum, former president of basketball operations, is now managing the equipment.  All in the family, the growth process.

*      *      *

The Lady Cards take on Hartford University on the road tonight after their narrow weekend win over Dayton. See Sonja’s take here.

...