Expending a lot of energy in the first half, even for the University of Louisville, making West Virginia desperate for an undeflected pass or an unfettered dribble. Bob Huggins has been there, has made it happen before, so it wasn’t going to last. The Mountaineers would make a run, well not a run, but somehow manage to get back in the game, and they did, just not quickly enough.
Terrance Williams, taking turns between the spectacular do-anything-he-wants moves and the head-shaking miscues, wasn’t taking WVU seriously after that first half, losing all respect for the Mountaineers. Hard to fault T-Will, it’s a natural reaction. Nine rebounds, four assists, seven turnovers. All over the place.
West Virginia was playing for respect the second 20 minutes, refusing to be totally embarrassed.Will they be sky high for the return match in Morgantown or what?
Preston Knowles, meanwhile, only knows one speed, never easing up on the intensity. He may miss a crucial free throw now and then, and his three-point shot may be off. He’s one of those heart-of-the-Bluegrass kids you always hated at Kentucky when they recruited state players. Plays a frenetic game, heart, intensity, desire — all the cliches that make such individuals special.
Terrence Jennings continues the transformation from a jittery freshman with no hands, no shot and no confidence to a major force in the middle. His progress from game to game in a good indication what the coaches have focused in individual instruction with him over the past few days, unveiling new moves never before seen. Get those fundamentals down, start getting some rebounds, perfect the post moves, and Card fans will have a new NBA-jump threat. Take your time, TJ, take your time.
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Angel McCoughtry scored a record 43 points en route to establishing the all-time career scoring mark at the University of Louisville in a 42-point win over Providence. Sonja’s report here.