All Entries Tagged With: "Preston Knowles"

How Now, Louisville 61, Syracuse 50

How does Louisville beat a good Syracuse team 61-50 when David Padgett plays only 17 minutes and scores only one point? Wouldn’t pretend to know the answer to that one but do have some impressions.

Andre McGee, a career game. The guy we often unforgivably forget to mention hits four three-point shots, his biggest coming with 53 seconds remaining to give U of L a seven-point lead, 57-50.  Had he not made an assist to Terrence Williams on the play before, giving U of L a 54-50 lead, Syracuse might have resurged, possibly erupted. Andre was the man, denying them the opportunity.

Terrence Williams, tight, uncoordinated during the first 20 minutes, just would not be denied the second half. At one point, chasing a defender the length of the court, making him swallow the loudest dunk of the season, the roof straining and twisting against the Freedom Hall support structure.[Thanks, Jerb, for the gif.]

Padgett pulling down seven of his 10 rebounds in the second half when the Cards had to have them. Unless our eyes deceived, Padgett was actually getting up in the air for a change. Keeps getting better, even on a bad night for him.

Derrick Caracter filling in well during Padgett’s absences. The good thing about Caracter is that nobody is ever going to push him around. The bad thing is that the same officials calling almost every game, expecting him to foul, anticipating, anticipating.

A defensive tone, motivated, underscored and rejuvenated by the persistence of Preston Knowles, a guy who personifies Rick Pitino’s defensive philosophy.

Syracuse is a good team now, destined to be an even more ferocious opponent in the future

Earl Clark Day: Louisville 80, Providence 72

An Earl Clark day, the big guy leading all scorers with 20 points — including a triple-edged dagger with 2:30 on the clock to give U of L a seven-point lead — nine rebounds and four assists.

Does Earl Clark ever change expressions? Looks cool whether he’s having a bad game or a good one. Just another day at work for him, he’ll be out of the on-the-job training mode any day now. Maybe starting today, break out.

David Padgett, meanwhile, continues to define the term “quarterback on the floor,” knowing where everybody is, giving them the best opportunity to succeed. Fans saw just how important DP is to the Cards when he goes to the bench early with two fouls in the first half. Dogfight, for sure, when he has to sit.

Now that everybody knows what Jerry Smith can do, he doesn’t get much breathing space. So he makes his own, moving without the ball, catching a David Padgett bullet for an easy lay up at a critical point, swiping the ball and increasing U of L’s lead to six, giving fans a chance to exhale.

Terrence Williams, welcome to the 1,000-point club. Running out of superlatives for a super player.

Juan Palacios brings enthusiasm and plays good defense, but every basket is a nice surprise.

Speaking of surprises, always amazed how Edgar Sosa can sometimes slices through slow-collapsing zones with ease. Make it a habit Edgar.

Preston Knowles is earning more playing time, making the most of every second.

Derrick Caracter looks intense during games. Time is passing Derrick, clock running down. Work, man, work to get better, the time is now.