The good thing about playing down to the competition’s level is that there won’t be that many Arkansas States on the schedule.

People checking the basketball line scores, noting the 54-27 outcome, may conclude that the University of Louisville was playing some hellacious defense. The truth is neither team was getting after the ball or doing much with it in their possession.

Lazy ball, awkward and sluggish. Check the cell phone, any messages? Is it even on? Almost as relaxing as the average baseball game, lots of daydreaming, checking out the great new arena for the umpteenth time.

  • Even Gogui Dieng not much into the game, having to sit out the beginning of the second half, giving Stephan Van Treese a rare start, if even for only a few minutes.
  • Chane Behanan looking like an average 6-foot-8 player for a change but still pulling in six rebounds. Nice double-take in the huddle when he realizes that Rick Pitino is getting on his case for the first time. Who, me?
  • Elisha Justice may getting back up to speed although it’s hard to tell against an Arkansas State, playing decent point guard, making sound decisions, along with some surprising offensive moves. He’ll get there, wait and see.
  • Kyle Kuric not really needed, getting to watch much of the action but still the leading scorer with 12 points.
  • Just can’t get over the change in Jared Swopshire. If he weren’t behind Kuric and Behanan, one would anticipate him getting back in the starting lineup by the end of January.

UofL can do without those long scoring droughts, even during yawn-inducing affairs. Would never have made it through this one on a Sunday afternoon.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

7 thoughts on “A sleepwalker for Louisville basketball”
  1. I’ve never had a root canal but I suspect it couldn’t be more painful than last night’s game. Even with anesthetic.

  2. I was already getting disgusted with yet another year where nearly all the November and December games are simply warm-ups against far inferior talent….then this clunker. I remarked to my wife that “We make a $1000 annual donation…pay face value for our two tickets…sit in the top row of a near-verticle section…and nearly half of our season’s tickets are for games against exhibition caliber talent!”

    We’re moving to the cheap seat or splitting our season with another couple next year. I can’t take it!

    OK, paused 10 minutes before finishing. The meds are now taking effect. 😉 Yes, the balance of last year’s schedule in league play was exceptional and worth Nov/Dec. suffering. Please let it be so again this year and I’ll behave myself again. 🙂

  3. 27 points? Awesome D

    On the disappointing football-side, looks like BYU isn’t coming to the Big East – and now Big East is looking at San Diego State. Huh?? This is getting ridiculous. I was very skeptical of BYU joining the Big East – not thrilled with the though of Air Force/Navy in football – wow, what power programs. But without BYU and with the departure of WV, Big East football will be a joke compared to other confernces. Even C-USA! I hope somehow U of L can get into a the Big 12 or somewhere else where they can play good football teams and have credibility on the national front. (By real football teams, I’m referring to a conference that has at least a couple or more teams regularly ranked in the top-25.) Without BYU (and where’s Houston?), this will be VERY ugly.

    1. Steve, the national media doesn’t give the Big East credit even when it does have good football teams. That would be true even if BYU joined. The school is hurting itself with its arrogance. Meanwhile, hopefully we will dominate the Big East.

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