Rick Pitino was promising a radio audience a couple of hours before tipoff that he fully intends to return as University of Louisville basketball coach. That he expects UofL have a top 10 team next season, setting a positive tone for the evening.
Visions of the collapse against Virginia came to mind, however, as Syracuse raced to an 18-6 lead over the first nine minutes. The power of positive thinking turning south, the Cardinals shooting blanks early, missing 11 of their first 14 shots. Looking a little bleak, all too familiar, Pitino pleading, cajoling, pacing court side, willing something to happen.
Right on cue, the threes start falling for Louisville. Damion Lee with two of them, then Trey Lewis, and was that David Levitch? Yes, it was. And, hey, there’s Matz Stockman cutting the deficit to one point on a layup, giving UofL its first lead on a jumper, 23-22.
The positivity had finally arrived, overcoming two weeks of negativity, and Louisville would defeat Syracuse 72-58 before a crowd of 21,654 happy fans at the KFC Yum! Center. The loss ending a two-game losing skid for UofL and five-game winning streak for Syracuse.
— Chinanu Onuaku reinventing himself again, unveiling new shooting and rebounding skills, along with a behind-the-back pass. Back in double-double territory again after a three-game absence, chalking up 13 points and 15 rebounds. A complete reversal from recent appearances, dominating the middle.
Onuaku was tagged with one foul for the game. Louisville had only two free throw attempts for the game, but guess who made UofL’s only free throw?
— Matz Stockman getting more playing time with Anas Mahmoud sidelined with an ankle injury, making the most of his minutes, with three field goals for six points. His four points giving the UofL lead changed the complexion of the game.
Donovan Mitchell getting a starting assignment. He would score eight points on four field goals — each of them rim-rattling dunks.
Damion Lee finding his range again, six of 14, including three 3-pointers, for his game-leading 15 points.
A much different outlook with Duke arriving in town on Saturday.