One has to wonder how hitting that winning shot against Virginia will affect Mangok Mathiang going forward. The confidence booster couldn’t have come at a better time, with the University of Louisville entering post-season play.
He probably resumed work on that same shot from the top of the free throw line during practice this week. Right behind him are Chinanu Onuaku and Anas Mahmoud practicing the same shot. UofL needing that shot, game after game.
The shot in the middle, the zone buster, the one spot that’s open the most when opposing defenses are zoning Louisville. Especially this season with the challenging play of UofL’s big men.
The question with them all season long is which one of them would come around enough to contribute to Louisville’s offense. They’ve all had their shortcomings, catching the ball, retaining possession, completing passes, making lay ups, tip ins and dunks. So frustrating to watch.
Mathiang provided a break-through with that game-winning shot, an epiphany into how important he can be to this team. His coaches, teammates and fans see him in a new light. While the shot will always be remembered, his lasting impression will be how he responds in future games.
Should be a motivating factor, encouraging him to reach new levels in other parts of his game. At the same time, it could inspire Chinanu Onuaku and Anas Mahmoud to develop their games, you know, to become more active participants instead of bystanders. Onuaku, believe it or not, is the fifth leading scorer with 2.8 points per game, Mathiang is averaging 2.5 points, and Mahmoud eight-tenths of a point per game. Their rebounding hasn’t been much better.
Mathiang’s shot set a new standard for them. They should embrace it and move forward, get more involved, wanting to make a difference. That’s what their coaches, teammates and fans expect. They should want that for themselves even more.
Nobody expecting any of them to break out or dominate. One more basket, one more rebound, even an assist, one less turnover per game from one or all three of them would go a long way.