Louisville’s 74-69 loss to Kentucky in this Sweet 16 game will be remembered by Cardinal fans as one the UofL could have easily won. The Cards just wouldn’t let the Cats go away, and in the end probably beat themselves.
Kentucky earned the win, no doubt, by hanging around, allowing UofL to make mistakes and miss free throws while making the shots they had to make against probably the best defensive team they will meet in the NCAA tournament.
Russ Smith, one of the all-time greats in program history but also one of the most unpredictable, would have his ups and downs again in his final game. He would have some amazing moments, some awkward, some mind boggling, all the while keeping Louisville in front most of the game.
Russ would make only four out of 10 free throw attempts in the first half, creating his own mind games with the jiggle action at the free throw line. He finally dropped the jiggle but by then it was too late because he wouldn’t make it back to the line again. He wrapped up his career with 23 points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal in his last game.
Luke Hancock just kept getting better as the end of his career approached. Probably one of the most savvy players to ever wear a UofL uniform. He will be remembered in his last game for two in-your-face dunks, three point beauties, four-of-four free throw attempts and a total of 19 points. Always the catalyst, Hancock would make key shot after key shot but the momentum never followed.
Montrezl Harrell probably improved more in one season than any player in UofL’s illustrious history, bringing back the dunk as a staple in this year’s offense. Still needs to work on those free throws and shot blocking.
Among the most surprising and optimistic developments was the play of Mangot Mathiang, with his two blocked shots, two steals, and four rebounds, making him a candidate for next season’s most improved.
The winningest senior class in history has left the house (along with Harrell probably). Some great memories. Treasure them, because Rick Pitino will have his work cut out for him next season.
Thanks Steve. Appreciate the kind words. Stick with us after the season, we really have to work hard and be creative during spring and summer. Six years into this, I’ve learned there’s never a shortage of material.
Charlie –
Thanks for all the great articles during basketball season. Keep up the good work!
Steve
A follow-up: Look for other coaches to start to offer the same services. UK and Calipari are at the top for now, but there is a limit to the number of NBA spots and once enough talent is there, especially young talent, then the pipe is full. Once this happens we will see a dispersement of talent and a higher level of play. Also, thyanks to increased TV revenue and conference realignment, more schools will be covered by media outlets and it will feed on itself. Look for a competitor to the NCAA (The College Football Association, comes to mind) to emerge and cause all kinds of turmoil.
Just speaking my thoughts.
Thanks Charlie for the venue.
Go Cards!
I must go on record saying that the current one-and-done rule is like the 3-point rule. Pitino used it to beat Denny Crum (and others)and Calipari is using the one-and-done rule to beat Pitino (and others). Freshmen, destined for NBA consideration are attracted to Calipari and UK.
Freshmen, especially highly recruited ones, also don’t have any University fan “baggage” to worry with. They only want to win(and really don’t care about fan opinion)so that they are considered higher in the draft.
Therefore, there are no rivalry games, only wins-losses. Calipari is playing the system, and until it changes, he has a distinct advantage.
But as they say the worm always turns. Just hope it’s sooner rather than later.
Go Cards!
True not trying to take anything away from how UofL played most the game, but too many poor choices at the end.. My point is it was like Wichita St. We wasted 3 plays on Hancock. Russ did a no look pass that caught him off guard, ball goes out bounds for turnover. Then 2 more plays where Hancock drives all the way under the basket without a shot or dish-out to someone else. I loved how Russ and Chris were using the glass a bit on mid range shots but disappointed they (Hancock included) didn’t take more short-mid range looks where they’re not fighting tall wind mills.
I can only recall 2-3, 3 pointers dropping there were a handful of things that needed to happen that didnt and the glaring stare of defeat was there before UK finally took the lead.
Im sorry to say but when tied with minute or so left, its more often UK’s game. ESPECIALLY when UofL goes cold without a FG for 4 mins as game winds down.
There really just isn’t any excuse for that except a possible psychological issue when it comes to beating UK.
Isn’t failing the same way over and over the definition of insanity.
Disappointing for sure, Mike. The definition of frustration is losing five out of the last six games to Calipari at UK. I think Pitino and Calipari are tied overall. He’s got a highly unusual situation there where he gets at least five of the top 10 recruits every year. It’s not good for college basketball but life is rarely fair. Just keep grinding away, hoping the tide changes. We are still the defending champs, Kentucky coming off an embarrassing year last season so all is not lost.
Right. Im not ranting so much as analyzing. Its pretty sad that the winning-est class in UofL Basketball history never beat UK. Maybe 1 win but Im too lazy to go digging for that distant memory
It’d be dumb to expect Pitino to answer for his losses to UK because you know the answer you’ll get. It’d be nice he’d at least acknowledge that UL players & fans haven ‘t gotten any rivalry bragging rights in Years
The thing is, Pitino came back to college ball to COACH. If there’s anything left to prove its that he can take good college players and beat a bunch of NBA bound one and done freshman.
If I were Pitino, Id only feel hollow in that regard.
I disagree that Pitino hasn’t shown he can beat NBA-Lottery freshmen with a group of upperclassmen whom he’s developed over two and three years. He did the very thing last season as he lead your team on the championship run, and he’s taken “second 50” recruits and beaten a lot of teams filled with guys who were NBA players when they walked in the college gym -he beat Shaquille O’Neal and (then) Chris Jackson with John Pelphry and Ritchie Farmer (before prison).
I’m a UK fan, and I hated him changing colors more than I can say, but Rick Pitino is the best developer of players I’ve ever seen. He won a national championship with a core of players from what most Card fans thought a disastrous recruiting class.
You Card fans crack me up. “Beat themselves?” Okay.
Pitino is the best coach in the game, but you just got beat last night. That’s all. It happens, and it happened to your team. Talent wins over “savvy” as often as not.
You did win the last two minutes, no doubt about that.
Lol when it comes down to just needing a couple more shots to fall its not a question of talent, its matter of decision making, which can’t be lumped in with definition of talent.
Only talent I see on UK is physical prowess, and free throw shooting. At least some UK fans are nervous about Michigan because its less likely UK will win the game standing at the charity stripe since Michigan shoots well consistently
Tough, hard-fought game by both sides. It was anybody’s game when tied with just 1:26 left.
UofL is making me angry. Its the same story each game, maybe not the entire game when comparing past UL/UK games but basically the same story.
This is first game I can recall that UofL held lead for as long as they did. However, same result.. missing free throws, missing critical rebounds, 4 min+ scoring drought, players in foul trouble, and several plays that make no sense e.g. ( Hancock driving into no man’s land with no successful shot or dish-out) not ONCE but TWICE.
Im tired of it. Its NOT clutch at all. I feel like The UK team that didnt make it to tourney last year could have just shown up and beat UofL It doesn’t matter who is filling the UK jerseys. Its gotten to the point that UofL inevitably goes dumb or cold just long enough because the name on the opponent’s jersey brungs added pressure or something.
Im mostly disappointed because Pitino and UofL cant win against UK whether its late-December- Jan or tournament time.
Recent stats dont lie Im afraid and UofL is always much better weeks after playing UK early in non-conference schedule which means inevitably UofL LOSES to UK.
What the hell?! Learn some clutchness against UK for crying out LOUD!