Erasing memories of bad starts in recent years is good, but getting out of the first round even nicer. Watching from the sidelines no fun at all.
Actually the Louisville basketball team dumped the low expectations a couple of weeks ago, refusing to submit to them, raising its game to a new level. A different team, one that believes in itself, maintaining extreme levels of intensity of defense while becoming more creative on offense.
High-scoring Davidson team, among the better three-point shooting teams, rarely saw daylight beyond the three-point line, making four of 19 attempts — their 34% accuracy in threes reduced to 21%. When it mattered most, at the end, they were afraid to take them.
- The new, improved Peyton Siva is the player responsible for rising confidence levels. While fingers were being pointed in his direction a couple of weeks ago, he was listening to Rick Pitino, taking notes, and learning from his mistakes. At the same time, he was healing from early season injuries, getting back in shape, returning to form.
- Siva back to weaving in and around defenders under crowded baskets, attempting and making those paradoxical shots again. While he is often described as lighting quick, he has slowed in the last week or so, reducing the slipping, sliding and traveling. More self control, giving him more time to make better decisions, providing more opportunities to get teammates involved.
- Chane Behanan, fully aware that his close-in shooting is a little suspect, creating more space for himself, working harder for shots, actually using the glass at one point. He keeps acting like he’s going to fire off three-point attempts, a gesture that always scares his coach and teammates. He’s recognizing his role, keeping the ball moving, getting closer to the basket.
- Gorgui Dieng really getting into this NCAA thing, reverting temporarily to slapping at the ball. Or maybe he just needs to adjust to non-Big East officials with an aversion to chest bumping. Playing smart with his foul load, hanging around as long as he is needed.
- Kyle Kuric failing to hit on his three three-point attempts but finding his mid-range accuracy. If he can put both of them together again soon, he will solidify the emerging confidence levels. Seems to be thinking too hard on free throw attempts, UofL is going to need every one of them.
- Russ Smith managing affairs during Siva’s foul troubles, taking control, playing under control, displaying still another facet of his versatility.
- Jared Swopshire is going to tap in a shot one of these days. Meanwhile, we’ll settle for two-of-two free throw shots.
Getting to the second round, recognizing the continuing improvement, growing the levels of confidence, making more of the same possible, opening up all kinds of possibilities. All kinds of them.