Three games in five days against team from bottom rung of the conference testing the focus and endurance of the University of Louisville basketball team, winning by an average of 33 points per game.
The latest win, an 80-54 decision over South Florida, a little ragged at times, reflecting some of the rigors of the compressed schedule. The most obvious was an obviously outmanned opponent connecting on nearly 50 percent of its shots, scoring at times with ease, but tripping over itself numerous times, unable to take advantage.
Thanks to the defensive lapses, the next four days will be any thing but a picnic for Rick Pitino’s charges. They’ll be on a merry-go-round during practice sessions, switching and rotating, rotating and switching, protecting the paint, protecting their hides, pressing for playing time, time is running short.
Speaking of playing time, Mangok Mathiang’s has increased significantly over the last four games, from two minutes against Central Florida to 18 minutes in his latest outing. He’s becoming more active around the basket, scoring nine points, grabbing six rebounds, two steals and a block against South Florida. He’s also more confident, becoming more aggressive around the basket.
Russ Smith is so skilled with the ball that he still gets carried away with the extra curricular at times. But he’s playing more like a senior as the season progresses, knowing when he needs to score or when others need to score.
Luke Hancock, another senior, so comfortable with the game and his capabilities, often toying with the opposition. Surprisingly nimble at times, hitting the pause button while he slips around, through and over defenders in so many different ways.
The schedule enters another dimension from this point forward. Four days of the most challenging practices ever, leading up to Saturday, preparing for Cincinnati. But with Rick Pitino, it’s always about so much more than the next game.