^^ Keith Oddo bows out with 3-point buzzer beater – Mike DeZarn photo ^^
Nothing more magical than a nylon-ripping three-point basket at the buzzer. Coming from a University of Louisville graduate transfer walk-on with less than nine minutes of playing time and zero points for the season.
The delightful wizardry provided by Keith Oddo who had to be surprised he was even in the game. But it was Senior Day and this was his last game. Thrilled that Coach Chris Mack would call his number with 1:05 on the clock. No hesitation after David Robinson finds Oddo alone in the corner, no time to think, nothing but net.
Just the thing the crowd of 18,104 at the KFC Yum! Center needed to close out UofL’s 2019-20 home game schedule. The win improving Louisville’s record to 24-6 overall. More magical is the fact that UofL is in first place in the conference with a 15-4 mark with one game remaining. By a half game over Florida State which has two games left.
The Cardinals may need ever bit of Houdini they can conjure up with their final game of the season coming next Sunday at Virginia. Both teams may have played their best game of the season when they met recently in Louisville, with the Cards prevailing by 80-73. Virginia has only continued to get better and is anticipating its own special Senior Day observance.
Louisville had its hands full with Virginia Tech before finally getting some separation midway through the second half. Jordan Nwora missed three of his first four shots before zeroing in on the basket. Bouncing back from an 11-point effort against Florida State, he would score 20 points and pull down 12 rebounds.
Malik Williams still not available after injuring an ankle against the Seminoles. Backup Steven Enoch good enough for now, against Virginia Tech, with eight points and 11 rebounds. Ryan McMahon with 10 points, including two 3-pointers in his final home game. Dwayne Sutton with eight points and nine rebounds in his last game at Louisville.
Despite all the ups and downs this season, UofL still has a shot at the regular season championship. Amazing, almost inconceivable, that first place was even possible. One can only hope the magic can endure through next Sunday.
Jessica Laemmle, a senior reserve playing in her final home game, earlier in the day, started off the scoring for the women’s basketball regular season closer. with the first two points of that noon game in the Yum. Keith Oddo, a senior reserve playing in his final home game, later that day, closed out the men’s game with a thrilling three from the corner. Both times, the crowd went crazy with glee. Perfect. Bookends for the double-header. Go Cards!
Barbara, I couldn’t have said it better. Excellent way to begin and end an exciting day of basketball.