First in the Big East, all alone atop the conference standings, No. 1 seed going into the conference tournament. Fourth year in the Big East, the University of Louisville is the conference champion. That is in the strongest college basketball conference in America, maybe the toughest conference ever, certainly the most rugged.
Not a piece of art this win over West Virginia. You don’t go into Morgantown preparing for anything but ugly. They never disappoint, the Eers and their fans, their coach and their wild and woolly followers striving to intimidate the visitors, every opportunity, every way possible.
All for naught: The couches are safe, the volunteer firemen relaxing.
- Terrence Williams wanted this win bad, no denying him, he can’t do enough, carrying the team on his shoulders. Getting the rebounds, steals, deflections, assists and baskets when his team absolutely has to have them. Five of six three-point shots, seven assists, six steals, six rebounds, 20 points. Was there ever a more most valuable player at Louisville than T-Will.
- Earl Clark, well, he plays like Earl Clark. The box score doesn’t track walking calls, which seem like every other possession. He usually makes up for his miscues with rebounds but two doesn’t quite get it. The 13 points were very helpful, however, especially the three that put U of L ahead on top, 55-54, at the 4:31 mark. No fair closing your eyes when he decides to shoot.
- Jerry Smith never gets enough credit. His two free throws in the final minute had to go down, or this adventure may have not had a happy ending. No problem for Jerry, the swishes sweet on the backboard microphone.
- Louisville made never have another half like the one at Georgetown when the Cards didn’t miss a shot in the first 11 minutes. This team plays a lot of ugly on offense. Tough admitting it, much less accepting it. But the defensive effort is about as good as Louisville fans have ever seen.
- Maintaining their defensive intensity, nothing new. What was new was the Big East officiating crew making calls on things they ignored all season, putting Andre McGee, Samardo Samuels and Terrence Jennings in jeopardy with four fouls apiece.
- Just ask West Virginia guard Alex Ruoff how good the U of L defense is, needing one three-point basket to set the all-time three-point milestone for the Mountaineers. Not this game. Zero three-pointers. Tears before and after the game for the Senior Night honoree.
Not a conference for the meek, this Big East.
I don’t know how he does it but Pitino has done one his best coaching jobs ever this season. Figuring out his offensive approach is mindboggling, even for people who have been watching U of L all season. How are opposing coaches supposed to figure it out?
Huggins fits right in with the West Virginia crowd with his intimidation tactics.
Congratulations Louisville fans for the first of what I hope will be many championships.
Can’t think of a better place to win the conference title than in Morgantown. The Eers thought they “almost Heaven” with all the talkers in town. Shut ’em up, that’s the best way to deal with them.
I thought Eers burned couches whether they won or lost. Wow amazing is T-Will? If he doesn’t get Big East POY then the selection committee should be audited. It would be another slap in the face from the “good old boys” that view the newer members of the conference with a bit of distain.
Or, as a rabid Mountaineer fan told me the last time I visited Morgantown for football.
“Ya’ll ain’t really members of the real Big East. None of you new teams contribute that much to the history of the league.”
Hmmmm. Orange Bowl apperances by UofL and Cincy. Cards to the basketball title this year. Yeah, right. We’re not doing a blessed thing.
What a win! Congrats to the Cards as Big East Champs!!
T-Will made a case for Big East player of the year. He carries this team.
Jerry, Jerry, Jerry!! The two free throws at the end of the game were huge!! He always seems to spark the team at the right time.
What was up with Sosa?? Two terrible shot – missing everything except the backboard – at an important time in the game.
And Earl Clark?? I’m sorry, but I think he does more harm than good. Five turnovers (including walking calls on back to back possesions)…only two rebounds?? Yeah he had 13 points but the bad things he does can outweigh that — and cost them a tournament game. Him being top-10 selection? I don’t see…he’s not showing me much at all. I only hope he comes alive during the tournament. Why do I get so nervous and scream “pass the ball to someone else” every time Clark touche the ball?? Am I the only one? I like Jennings. Jennings’ five blocks and six rebound were big.
Great Defense…and a GREAT WIN!! Keep it up Cards!
Does anyone think the Big East will get three #1 seeds? I think they deserve it…but doubt they’ll get it. Hopeing the Ville gets one of them!!!!
Go Cards!