Too easy. Louisville’s 114-82 win over Western Kentucky at Bowling Green.
Western not providing much opposition, not living up its rivalry role, getting rolled, and folding.
Peyton Siva getting comfortable maybe with the pace of the college basketball game. Finding his shot, eight of 13 attempts, including four behind the three-point arch. Nine of 10 from the free throw line. How about 29 points.
Equally, if not more impressive in Rick Pitino’s mind, finding his teammates with eight assists. Easy to overlook the five turnovers when one is managing other aspects of the offense so well.
- Chris Smith continues to impress, in control, under control. knowing when he should shoot, when to pass, a smart player to have around during critical times. Good form, smart shots, making eight of 12 them, collecting 18 points.
- Gorgui Dieng overcomes rawness much of the time with physical skills, desire and and toughness. Just keeps improving. As he once said. he loves dunking. The players he guards respect his 7-foot-4 arm length, or suffer the consequences.
- Preston Knowles plays with confidence at all times. When his shot is going in, the opposition is in trouble.
- Kyle Kuric continues to amaze with his leaping ability.
- Terrence Jennings managing four fouls in 17 minutes as a reserve.
The old-timers in Bowling Green are shaking their heads in disbelief. Games like this don’t happen in the Louisville-Western Kentucky series, and certainly not in a place named for Ed Diddle.
Were there a lot of Cards in the house?
More than I expected. I had three “Bowling Green” Cards sitting behind me. Mid-way through the first half the Cardinal crowd was thinned by two after a couple of fans were given the boot for marching around the second level carrying a small “automobile type” flag. I actually heard the C-A-R-D-S cheer a couple of times near the end.
I don’t know how it looked on TV, but it was obvious from the bleachers, (yes Diddle’s upper level is bleacher seating) that the Cards took the toppers heart in this one. I don’t want to hear anymore about playing on the road. Diddle arena was a hostile environment before the cards exploded. Very physical, very loud…the kind of road game the cards needed. Siva was outstanding in all phases, great team effort. This team improves nearly every game.