Up one week, down the next, incredible highs, insufferable low points in the world of athletics.
The slide from No. 1 continues unabated for the University of Louisville basketball team, descending in agonizingly slow motion.
Three losses in a row, transitioning from what Bobby Knight called a team with few weaknesses to a team now struggling to make baskets and unable to contain anyone for very long.
Remember Rick Pitino complaining about lack of defensive intensity a couple of week ago, even with his team on a 12-game winning streak? That look of dire concern, the tongue lashings, the constant harping about defense. It was not the look of a coach returning to the Final Four, more a sense of foreboding.
After still another loss to Georgetown, this one 53-51, Pitino acknowledged that his team is severely challenged on offense. This from a coach who rarely discusses offense, wanting to dominate defensively. But even when the current unit is successful on defense, it is unpredictable when it gets the ball.
- A familiar sight Chane Behanan bobbling passes, frozen between taking a dribble, making a fake or going to the basket. His big body going to waste for now, lack of focus and control, not outmuscling anyone, no sure things ever.
- Gorgui Dieng still hasn’t returned to his pre-injured-wrist form, those mid-range shots looking more like mistakes than good decisions.
- Russ Smith, the leading scorer, relegated to a relief role, forced to hesitate, play more under control — confusing challenges for a player who wants to go full speed, taking any shot at any time.
- Wayne Blackshear will lead the charge if this team ever gets it together offensively. But he’s not doing that anytime soon, hitting only one for nine against Georgetown.
- Siva taking only two shots, making none, while getting into early foul trouble again. A good shooter one game, fearful of shooting the next, a dereliction of his leadership role.
- Luke Hancock making broadcasters look good with his early three-point shooting, but unable to create shots late. Pitino has to decide between Luke’s steady approach vs. Russ’s frenzied one, somehow keeping both of them happy, just has to.
This was a team that had little time to realize it was No. 1 in the country before the distinction was taken away. Now it has to deal with falling off the cliff.
Gorgui’s sling shots look like someone just trying to get off a shot before the shot clock runs out. Coaching ?
A little arc could help Gorgui. He was coming along so nicely before injuring his wrist. He’s looking puzzled much too much lately, like all he’s learned has gone out the window or doesn’t fit what the team is doing these days.
Charlie,
I have to say I’m really bummed. I think it may be the youth and inexperience, but I’m afraid to say it may be coaching and recruiting. In either case I don’t envision a happy ending to the season. Suffice it to say the wind has been taken from my sails.
I won’t deny the possibility of a resurgence, but it’s hard to imagine it at this point, too many players who can’t hear/learn/adjust. Damn, I loved this team, and now I feel like they were just workin’ the system.
It truly sucks. 3 losses in a row, after achieving #1 status. That’s like smacking your spouse after great sex. And then saying just wait it gets better.
AAAARRRRRRGGGGGGG!
Sorry for the rant. This team just has so much potential it’s hard to hold the frustration in. Feel free to delete this post. I won’t taken offense at all.
That’s okay, justcards, you can rant over here anytime you need to do so. We have been on a real high the last three months as UofL fans. It couldn’t last forever, just as the current slump will not stand for long.
Don’t get me wrong. I like Siva. But not as a leader.
I think his leadership falters because of the limited offense he is supposed to run. He is responsible for getting the ball safely over half court, and then he is supposed to put the defense, (and us) to sleep by appearing to have no interest in scoring; he just does what Pitino asks in those regards. Just play peek-a-boo on the perimeter until the defense forgets that you might score and then, when you think their attention is declining race to shoot before the buzzer. Oh, and then hope for an offensive rebound so you do it all again.
It does seem to be much too predictable right now, just as it did at this time last season. It would have been a bit early to peak, everything was going so well before Syracuse. We’ve been down this road before.
1) haven’t peaked
2) more diversity to come
3) history shows
All good points, and ones that I remind myself of as well, I also note that Luke is still recovering and Wayne says he only just forgot about his injury; so the future is where it is at and it may turn out brighter that what we see now. Still, my patience wears thin when we lose games we should be winning. Winning is a habit, they say, yadda, yadda, yadda.
Observer- how about you do a side by side comparison of siva stats vs top 25 point guards
Siva needs all the help he can get. I’m not about to throw stats in his face.
I knew we were missing something steveko. May be the spark we need to get going again. Thanks for the light.
Siva. Senior guard. 17 minutes. 0 points. 0 rebounds. 0 contribution. As I’ve been posting the last 2 years, Cards will be a better team after he graduates. Start Russ. Sit Siva.