Drexel, sure.
The bad thing about winning the first eight games for a Louisville basketball team with no starters from a season ago was the inevitability of a taking a no-name team for granted.
Rick Pitino’s pre-game warnings about Drexel being dangerous, but probably not taken seriously. Just a coach trying to get his players ready for another game. The Cards were, after all, fresh off a win over UNLV, a ranked and previously unbeaten team.
Lack of rebounding? No big deal against a team some hadn’t noticed on the schedule until a couple of days ago. As Milt Wagner once said, “Drexel is one of those academic schools.” Just more busy work, more pre-conference record padding.
Even as Drexel managed to pull ahead by two points at the half, it was assumed they would wear down playing seven players, some already in foul trouble and turning the ball over almost as often as they were called for traveling. They would surely fold at some point in the second 20 minutes, still another victim of a relentless defense.
But Drexel would not go away, not with Louisville falling for its slowdown game, UofL looking like an altogether different team, rushing its shots, managing only nine assists, flailing about in a half court game, making only 12 of 25 free-throw shooting, exposing flaws overlooked with all the previous wins.
- Terrence Jennings one rebound, the one that fell in his lap.
- Mike Marra missing his 21st consecutive field goal attempt, struggling on the free throw line.
- Peyton Siva letting people sneak up behind him, adding four more turnovers but only two assists.
- Preston Knowles missing the same kind of shots that went in a game ago.
- Rakeem Buckles, he with the newly found dribbling ability, unable to get close to the basket, managing only one point.
Against lowly Drexel.
This type of game happens all the time at the college level. Louisville’s strength is in it’s ability to play at a fast pace, create turnovers and score in transition. Take that away and the players are left with something they are unfamiliar. They revert back to the bad habits that have rewarded them in the past only this time it doesn’t work and the result is a loss. As Pitino has said, there is not one player on the team that they can go to when points are needed. If teams can force Louisville into a half court game, they will be in trouble all year. Mara has been doomed ever since Pitino declared him the best high school shooter he has seen. As much as we all love Kuric, he would probably be a preferred walk on at a lot of the top level programs. This team will play with great heart and determination. They will win some they shouldn’t and lose some like this past game. In reality, with low expectations, the games are much easier to watch. I guess that is a plus.
This is a young inexperienced team (except for Preston) that is trying to come to grips with its new found accolades. When they were unranked and unappreciated, they knew they had to bring it every night. Now that they are getting some props, they let it go to their collective heads.
This loss (and CRP workouts) will get them back down to earth. I have confidence in the team and the coaches.
In a sadistic sort of way, I have to thank Drexel for waking this team up. A good spanking every now and then keeps a youngster in line. Same with this team.
Rebounding and free throws, plus being unable to knock down any shots late in the game were key components in the loss last night. Not ready just yet to throw the baby out with the bathwater though. Three games to get it fixed before Calipari’s bunch cross the county line.
Expect lineup changes. Someone who will go to the boards and be aggressive. Marra is on a cold streak now…time to sit him down and call a shot doctor or check and see if he needs contacts.
Gardner Webb next…you know…those guys who knocked off the Cats and gave us all a good laugh. Let’s hope the comedy isn’t up for another episode.
WE defeated Drexel to advance that magical year of the NCAA Championship. They finished with a higher G.P.A., though.
“Lowly Drexel”, clearly the Louisville habit of overbearing overconfidence(pompasity) isn’t limited to the playing floor or the fan base.
Drexel puts up with the same borish nonsense from local Big East club Villanova who hasn’t scheduled Drexel since 2006 because the Dragons had the audacity go into their building and put a similar beat down on them.
Top to bottom the CAA does not have the depth on their rosters to beat BCS schools on a daily basis but its a tough league. Teams that can finish in the top half of the CAA can win in any gymn anytime, in fact, the entire CAA(top and bottom) has a winning record vs BCS schools so far this season.
The CAA has won almost 50 percent of its first round NCAA games since its founding. Thats despite being matched up against 2-6 seeds in all of those games. Does anyone remember George Mason, that was no fluke, it was a harbinger of things to come from a solid well coached basketball league.
“Lowly Drexel”, the author needs to check his own attitude before he starts ripping on anyone.
Hyperbole, my man. Mere hyperbole.
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Is that you, Danny DeVito? Drexel, came in and did what they needed to do to win. This commenter doesn’t think the ‘lowly’ Drexel tag applies. Are you still one of those academic schools?
Milt Wagner must be shaking his head.
Here’s something for you. In five consecutive halves, that’s 100 minutes of gametime by my count, our two starting forwards have made……drum roll please………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………exactly zero field goals. Combined!
And let me add Terrence Jennnings is a darned good center for being only 5’9″. That’s not a typo. That’s how tall he plays. He is weak and was getting pushed around last night not just by Drexel’s 6’9″ center but also by their 6’5″ forward. When they posted up they moved TJ toward the basket. When he posted up they moved him toward the free throw line.
Another stat. We gave up offensive rebounds on four missed free throws. This is not new. We have given up ORs on missed free throws all year due to lack of technique boxing out and a lack of desire. I doubt there is a season record for most ORs given up on missed free throws but if there is we sure are going to break it.
Let me add for 38 minutes of the game Drexel never used more than one player over 6’5″ at a time. Lord knows what will happen to us in the taller and more physical BE.
And another piece of info. Van Treese was 1 for 3 at the line to RAISE his percentage. He is now 3 for 15, 20%. I haven’t touched a basketball in 25 years but I guarantee with a little warm up I can beat that.
If we can’t rebound and shoot free throws it could be a long season.