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