Drawing any conclusions from an 86-53 win over Eastern Michigan would be an exercise in pure hyperbole for any University of Louisville basketball fan.
Some reasons to be encouraged before the schedule gets real, before the Kentucky game and the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule.
— Finally a team with some shooters. Damion Lee and Trey Lewis making UofL a three-point shooting team again. Lee with two three’s among his 16 points on Saturday, Lewis with three of them and 11 points. The confidence spreading to Quentin Snider, two 3-pointers and 13 points.
— Chinanu Onuaku collecting only two fouls in 22 minutes, possibly setting a new endurance record for him. Definitely his best shooting day as a Cardinal, making six of eight field goal attempts for 12 points.
— Matz Stockman getting more comfortable around the basket, knowing what to do with the ball, collecting six points and lots of applause from the crowd of 20,649 at the KFC Yum! Center.
— So nice to see a big man like Ray Spalding comfortable with his frame, taking full advantage right away. Eleven points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two assists for the 6-foot-9 freshman.
Pretty mild early season schedule for sure, Rick Pitino taking his time, putting the pieces together.