No letdown following the rivalry encounter in Lexington, a conflict which will be remembered more as a maelstrom than a basketball game.

Whatever it was, the University of Louisville players put it behind them — exhibiting no hangover effects, racing to a 14-0 lead. Those kind of leads rarely hold up, resulting in overconfidence, lack of intensity, and sloppy play for the early front runner.

With a few minutes to think about it at the half, Rick Pitino’s team methodically dissected a Providence team that is going to surprise a few Big East teams. When the three-point shots are going in, Louisville will be more than competitive.

  • Most encouraging, Mike Marra getting a ton of playing time, with 26 minutes, hitting three of five three-point shots. Playing with confidence, showing no fear amidst the elbows around the basket. A possible new dimension in the offense.
  • Edgar Sosa making it look ridiculously easy at times, collecting 26 points, four assists and five rebounds. If he can get used to being good, this team can be a good one.
  • Jared Swopshire almost robotic, never showing emotion, even when someone is attempting to ram an elbow in his face. Keep tinkering with the controls, coaches, and he may become a finely-turned machine. Just don’t ask him to get excited about it.
  • Jerry Smith spends too much time imitating a tough guy rather than focusing on basketball on most nights. Focused on basketball in the second half, collecting all of his 14 points.
  • Much of Samardo Samuels’ value coming from his being double teamed by teams reading outdated scouting reports, freeing up other players to score. Sometimes, sometimes not. Still blowing too many easy ones this game but collecting 17 points and nine rebounds. How about those three assists?
  • Terrence Jennings just isn’t paying attention much of the time he’s out there but when he does, he’s a nightmare on the defensive end.
  • Preston Knowles making life miserable for opposing guards again, finding a three-pointer at a good time.  Keep taking care that thumb.
  • Kyle Kuric, missing in action, was he limping during the handshakes? If not, he should get minutes every game.








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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 “Louisville Confident In Dissecting Providence”
  1. Supposedly Goode will be out for another two or three weeks. If Pitino decides to start both Samuels and Jennings against St. John’s it would be nice to have Goode available to be the back up for the post but it doersn’t look like that will happen.

    Another big factor in Louisville’s win last night was the defense of Preston Knowles in the second half.

    Nothing official on Kuric’s failure to hit the court last night. Marra is from Rhode Island, had about 70 family members and friends at the game last night and showed a glimmer of hope for the future. Glad that he got to play in front of the folks back home.

    1. Charlie said it looked like he was limping, but I did not pay attention. Kuric is a beast, and I have been wanting for him to start. What you lose in points going to Kuric from Delk, you gain in defense.

      And I assure you from a friend in Evansville who’s kid went to HS with Kuric, he can take control and be a scorer, but he is playing reserved on offense, like he is going to piss Pitino of shooting at times.

      Kuric has GREAT defensive awareness IMO, and we have made the consecutive E8’s with defense, not our offense.

      Those varieties of full court presses we run all game, just beats the other teams down usually, and throws teams out of their game, when it is effectively.

      I am happy with the kids, and this is about exactly what I expected with all the new key players, and losing TW, E5, Mc3, and Lil’ Doc.

      2-0 in the BE, and tied for 2nd with Nova.

      Hold your glasses up and celebrate!

      Now the scedule after the Jonnies gets a little dicey…..

      BTW, reports have it that Mason Jr. will suit up and play some.

  2. I think Swop is doing great, and coming along nicely. We sure needed those 11 rebounds, and we out-rebounded them 45 to 21…… He had 34 big minutes, only surpassed by Sosa with 35 minutes.

    Hell, I want to have Swop’s baby…..:->

    This team averaged 44 rpg (us 40), and 83 ppg (us 80), and with a 137 SOS (us 190).

    But maybe we will all get a treat, and Goode will be back soon. I really can not wait to get the #20 PF in his class coming out involved. So there is a positive unkonwn variable to plug in, but he has missed a lot of practice, so that is the con of that scenario.

    The BE is wide-open right now, and we are 2-0 in the BE in 2nd tied with Nova.

    Great shape for now, and the boys look to be coming along nicely, and Pitino is starting to fully see each player’s niche, and matching them up accordingly.

    But agreed Swop is reserved, and he sounds like Barry White, as CRP says.

    He is a cool customer. He does need to get better position to rebound on the offensive glass though. 10 of 11 boards were on the defensive end, and more second chance points on offense would be nice.

  3. We’re all wise on this blog, aren’t we Lori? Charlie only allows the cream of the crop here at Card game. LOL

  4. i AM WITH YOU PAUL! The win is huge… some wise person on this blog said to give the team a little time and they should shape up nicely… this could be the starting point.

  5. The win is huge in several aspects.

    First, to come back strong after losing a rivalry game. Glad to know the Cards can come back on the road after going in down at the half and do it convincingly.

    Second, have we seen a long awaited, fully committed “all in” Edgar Sosa? Flashes of what he can be over the past three seasons. I hope it’s here to stay. A hot Edgar from outside is worth his weight in gold.

    Finally, road wins in the Big East are dear and valuable. Eight more contests away from Freedom Hall.
    None will be easy. Take every one you can get. No matter how topsy turvy they come. “W”‘s are sweet in opponent’s venues.

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