Morehead State 62, Louisville 61
by Mike Rutherford on Mar 19, 2011 12:01 PM EDT
in Basketball
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PrintThe only thing I could think about once the "my God, that happened" haze wore off in the wake of Thursday's loss was the end of Unforgiven, the ultimate anti-Western film featuring the ultimate anti-hero. The movie, which won best picture in 1992, centers around Bill Munny, a former murderer of women and children who has attempted to change his ways, but ultimately finds himself killing again. The character who would be the "hero" in any "normal" narrative is Little Bill Daggett, a man of the law who speaks well and does right.
In the film's climatic scene, Munny's gun misfires, providing Daggett the divine break he believes shines on those who do right. Still, Munny manages to gain the upper-hand and finds a wounded Daggett lying beneath his gun, leading to this exchange:
Little Bill Daggett: I don't deserve this... to die like this. I was building a house.
Will Munny: Deserve's got nothin' to do with it.
Daggett is killed and Munny goes home and on with his life.
If any Louisville team has ever deserved better, it was this one.
Look at the key elements at the end of the game:
--The most humble and selfless of leaders is forced to helplessly watch the excruciating final minutes of his last game from the bench because of a toe injury.
--The seldom-used in-state freshman has the chance to be a hero after burying a clutch three-pointer, but then comes up short on the front end of a one-and-one which could have secured the victory.
--A much-maligned player who missed a key free-throw in the conference championship game isn't given a shot at redemption in a nearly identical situation.
Add in the fact that Morehead had a 57% free-throw shooter bury a pair in the game's final minute and that they recorded their first "blocked shot" of the game at the final buzzer, and the whole thing was just completely...imperfect.
One of these things should have gone Louisville's way. When you do things the right way, especially in a day and age where that's not the norm, this isn't supposed to happen.
And yet here we are.
If you're looking for comfort, I still have none to give. The only semi-optimistic tidbit I can offer is that I don't think it will ever be worse than this. Without the benefit of the more accurate sense of perspective that time provides, I say that this is the most painful Louisville sports loss I've ever witnessed.
The most crushing aspect of Thursday, aside from the elements of the ending outlined above, is that the performance was such a deviation from what we've seen all season.
I thought it would take an out-of-body effort from Morehead to pull off the upset, and that isn't what happened at all. Louisville shot a better percentage than the Eagles, they recorded more steals, and had fewer turnovers. It was just so surprising to see the Cards get beat for so many 50/50 balls and make such poor decisions with the ball in their hands for much of the game. Kyle Kuric missed 3-of-4 free-throws, Terrence Jennings, Stephan Van Treese, and Gorgui Dieng combined for six total rebounds, and Peyton Siva played the worst game he has played and likely ever will play as a Louisville Cardinal.
And still the whole time you thought it would all end up being nothing more than a teaching lesson. "Survive and advance" would be the party line. It didn't happen, and that's the risk you run when you allow an opponent to hang around in a single elimination tournament.
The easiest thing to do in this situation is to say "well, the underclassmen will learn" and "we'll be back," but every chance you get in the tournament has to be valued every much as a late-game possession with the score tied. This team knew that, and it makes the fact that they're not playing anymore that much harder to stomach.
The most satisfying Louisville basketball season I've ever followed is over in the most unsatisfying fashion imaginable. That's the reality we're faced with, and, for lack of a better term, it sucks.
For all the frustrating decisions that Peyton Siva made on Thursday (still love him), allowing Demonte Harper to get that look at the end of the game was the worst. When a huge underdog is down by two and comes out of a timeout holding the ball with the clock running out, you know they're playing for the win. You make them hit a tough shot in the lane, but more than anything else, you make sure that the worst-case-scenario for your team is that the game goes to overtime. I still can't believe Peyton allowed Harper to get him falling back.
There's virtually no phone or Internet service on the island where we're vacationing, so this morning was the first time I'd checked my mail, twitter, Facebook, CC, etc. It was not enjoyable.
I don't endorse fighting your problems with alcohol, but North Captiva Island has not seen two people do more depressed drinking than Ms. CC and I did from about 4-6 on Thursday. I don't remember much from the period other than Michelle Branch's "Goodbye to You" emanating from here computer at one point and hearing what sounded like (read: was) sobbing.
Not the best afternoon/night.
We're hyperbolic on here a lot when it comes to Louisville basketball and our emotions, but seeing the look of absolute helplessness on Preston's face when we trailed 57-56 with about a couple of minutes to go immediately put a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach. Seeing him dazed after the game was almost too much to take.
It just doesn't get worse.
The no-call at the end of the game has, I'm sure, warranted a great deal of attention, but the foul call on Terrence Jennings that sent Faried to the line when we were up four was huge. I didn't mind it much at the time because I didn't think there was any way he would stroke both, but it certainly looks pretty enormous in hindsight.
People who don't understand will always try to provide words of comfort in the wake of the loss that ends Louisville's basketball season, but it never helps.
"Derby's right around the corner." "Spring football will be fun." "The weather's finally getting nice."
Shut up. I don't want to hear it. Let me grieve the only way I know how: beer and mini-airheads.
We can talk rationally about this in a month. Maybe.
Anyway, I don't have time to talk more or proofread the little that I've written, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm not refusing to come home and face reality. Or, more to the point, I wanted to make sure you all know that I'm still alive.
The ending was as bad as it gets, bit the preceding four months were so great. Thanks to all of you for reading and for making this season such an enjoyable one in our little world.
Go Cards.
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'Deserve's got nothing to do with it'
is also a quote uttered in the final season of the greatest TV show on Earth, The Wire. How fitting that it also happens to embody the final season of one of the most unlikely ‘greatest players’ in recent UofL history.
You will be missed, !.
Charlie! Charlie! Charlie!
Thanks Mike
It definitely helps having a place to come and know that there’re others grieving with you.
by cardcorefan on Mar 19, 2011 12:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Great appreciation Mike
As I have visited several of the sites here on SB Nation, I believe the CC is the wittiest, funniest and liveliest site. That is a testament to your work, passion and love of all that is is the Cardinal Nation.
I agree that this may be the most bitter defeat I have ever experienced as a Cardinal fan of some 30 years.
Thanks for giving all Cardinal fans a place to grieve together while we wait for time to do it’s thing.
This
The easiest thing to do in this situation is to say “well, the underclassmen will learn” and “we’ll be back,” but every chance you get in the tournament has to be valued every much as a late-game possession with the score tied. This team knew that, and it makes the fact that they’re not playing anymore that much harder to stomach.
This team had that certain something that I thought could allow for a deep tourney run. After the missed chance in ‘09, it just feels like we’re running out of time for the Pitino era to result in another FF or a third title. I was the one posting yesterday about how great we’re going to be next year, but Mike is right — you don’t get any of these tournaments back, and it is incredibly hard to accept that this was a wasted opportunity.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 12:23 PM EDT reply actions
I spent a month on Captiva Island when I was 12. Much different place than when I
saw it again ten years ago. All I remember about it back then was my parents freaking out that Jimmy Buffett was staying there for the summer. I was a Beatles fan so I could have cared less.
Lot of freakng drinking and a lot of women and men, uh, ‘wrestling’ on the beach in front of our cabin.
The other blatant foul...
…was the body block on Siva from Faried. I’m still pissed nothing was called and I’d bet Peyton is going to be hurting physically for weeks. That was a nasty thud and those dysfunctional douche referees should be ashamed. Still proud of what this team did this year and the future is bright. Now, on to the Cardinal baseball team and spring football. Go Cards!!
+1
That was the only call the entire game that truly got to me. The last play could at least, be debated somewhat, but that was a freaking hammer job on Siva. And the baseline ref was 3 feet away. Hell, Siva was slammed to the floor…you, as an official, have to call something there. Are you trying to tell me Faried is so strong that just his hand on the ball does that? Bullshit. To me, that was the game changer, not some terrified freshman in his first NCAA tourney game missing the front end of a one and one.
by David Lyons on Mar 19, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Makes the call against Jennings on Faried even more hard to stomach.
The game was over if they didn’t call that. OVER. Possession, 4-point lead, 30 second left.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions
That nasty should be so ashamed.
It makes me cry right now to think of that big mean man pushing our adorable baby down.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Mar 19, 2011 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
there were many more
i’m not saying it is why we lost, but i’m sick of it.
besides that HORRENDOUS no call on Faried, they fouled EVERY TIME with the body while hedging our screen on top of the key. Every time. No way in hell does our team not shoot the double bonus at the end of the game if it were called fair. it really has me concerned how the officials have grown numb to people bashing on teddy bear Siva. Its just not fair.
on the flip side, UK gets every call imaginable to help them out and just got babied at the end of the game against WVU. goes to show how they determine things.
i just hope this officiating garbage has run our of gas prior the next year, cuz thats when we’ll win it all.
This.
He rarely if EVER gets this call. They could call it at least 5 times every game, yet they might call it once every other game.
I think Siva going to the floor a lot on his own makes the refs think he just falls down a lot. So when he does get fouled, they won’t always call it.
by CardinalDude on Mar 19, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions
DO NOT FORGET
That Morehead converted that non-call on Siva into a 3-pointer on the other end (5 on 4 with Siva on the ground). What gets me, is that Siva was fouled 3 different times by 3 different players on that play which culminated with a BLATANT BLATANT foul by Faried. Honestly how can you not call that?
What’s amazing to me is that Siva never gets calls? Tu Holloway (last night’s game excepted) gets gobs upon gobs upon gobs of fouls, but not Siva. I mean, honestly, how many top 15 teams in the country aren’t in the double bonus at the end of a game (ie, Bullet’s 1-and-1)?
Feel better?
Nope, this makes me feel worse. I’ve been trying to talk myself into the whole “March doesn’t matter” thing because, really, we’d be heart broken no matter what happened.
But you are right. This loss hurts really, really, really bad. Like, short of someone actually dying or getting diagnosed with a terminal illness/life-long disability, it’s hard to imagine anything hurting worse.
The most frustrating thing is every time you think of it, you are reminded of the finality. There’s no way to go back and have them change the foul calls, no way to go back and give Preston! a chance to play those last 8 minutes.
So awful. I feel lousy.
Thursday was the worst day of my life.
Given I have lived a very blessed life so far, that sentence is completely true.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Mar 19, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Me too. The sadness I feel about not playing today reminds me that I take Louisville basketball way too seriously.
This team deserved more. Way more. At a minimum, surviving to play this Saturday.
And yes, in retrospect, the foul on Jennings on Faried’s last move was a brutal call, particularly in light of the final no-call (which involved more contact). The missed free throw, Siva’s inexplicable failure to guard the 3-point line (he was way too far off Harper before he ever made his move). It is all just too much to think about. Perfect storm.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I am glad to know you are alive, it upset me to be left here to die.
Reading this makes me feel worse, but at this point, I only want to feel worse. Worse it better. I want to see Rick on CBS looking so teeny tiny and cry. I want to see the clip of ! removed by the CJ. I hated reading this because now I’m going to go sulk, which is all I want to do.
“Shut up. I don’t want to hear it”- is my life song. I’ll never get better.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Mar 19, 2011 12:50 PM EDT reply actions
I'll feel somewhat better if WV wins today to be blatantly honest.
The loss is devastating; the relentless piling on by all my UK ‘friends’ is making my left arm and chest hurt…
Mazzulla and Bryant really play a smart game.
Knight is ridiculously talented.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I was hoping this would help some.
But it didn’t.
Mike, you’re so great on providing perspective for the rest of us, but I’m pretty sure this loss defies perspective.
by Chris Redman is my hero on Mar 19, 2011 12:51 PM EDT reply actions
The Bubble Room rocks
And any invocation of a Clint Eastwood movie in this particular circumstance is very appropriate.
It is just so jarring to be in such a sad mood while St Pats, beautiful weather, and my favorite time of the year coincide.
There’s a little black spot on the sun today…
Don’t these things come in threes?
It's actually North Captiva, not Captiva
Very small, very nice.
by Mike Rutherford on Mar 19, 2011 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I forgot, North is only accessible by boat
I still love the Bubble Room
And those freakin giant portions-I can taste the Carrot Cake, oh my God.
Beautiful place, enjoy.
by Chip Constant on Mar 19, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Bubble Room
Just ate at the Bubble Room last night. Had the mahi-mahi. Wish I had known there were some Cards fans in the area.
But being away from people who care about the tournament has helped keep my mind off the loss. Now I’m back in Lexington, and I can’t wait for the tournament to be over.
Lazy Flamingo
If you feel like going somewhere on Captiva go to the Lazy Flamingo; not touristy like some of the other places. Limited menu but plenty of grouper and if you really like hot wings (really hot wings) go for the Dead Parrot.
Small place good people and good food.
If my posts here don't make any sense just think what my tweets are like @cubsncards
My first text to my best friend after the game was
“not like this, I was building a house.”
And I think thats the only way to describe that loss. Well said Mike. March sadness continues.
CRP just said it again in studio - the one thing we told them was take away the 3.
I still cannot believe the way we defended that play. I don’t think I’ll ever quite be able to figure that one out.
Remember how UConn defended us with a 1-point lead? They stayed the aggressors. Ugh. Ok, I’m done.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 1:23 PM EDT reply actions
I still think we should have fouled Faried on that last possession.
Chances are he misses one of the free throws, and at worst it goes to OT.
by Get_In_My_BELLY_ on Mar 19, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Check that, Faried didn't get a touch there.
Still would have liked a foul.
by Get_In_My_BELLY_ on Mar 19, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Nice thought but instead of a purposeful foul you instead put someone taller than 5'10''
out on point, like say, Chris Smith and guard him relentlessly. if a foul happens, so be it and your scenario plays out. If he pulls up for a jumper, someone 6’4 is in his face.
why no zone?
i think we’ve seen our zone D be better than our man ALL YEAR. i’m sorry contesting the last shot has been siva’s weakness ALL YEAR. before i thought it was because kemba walker was so good, but then i remembered Mitchell’s three. Siva bear needs to work on his contest D.
The only thing I've been thinking about since our loss
is how good our team will be next year. Seven + months until next basketball season, and not being a particularly enthusiastic football fan is a tough combination, but I am looking forward to the future of this team. The only thing about that loss that still gets to me is Preston! not being able to continue this great year.
by Get_In_My_BELLY_ on Mar 19, 2011 1:25 PM EDT reply actions
Assuming the injury bug stays away from our key players, I completely agree.
We need a healthy Siva, and if we’re going to make a leap, my guess is that we’ll need a healthy Blackshear and Swop or Buckles. Please let both Swop and Buckles be healthy next year, but at least one of them.
That said, putting a talent like Blackshear on the floor with Siva, Kuric, Jennings/Dieng, and whoever plays the 4 (lost of possibilities) is just awesome to think about.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks, Mike.
I’ve been waiting for this ever since the game ended. It helped a little bit. The game was incredibly disappointing, at the least. In fact, I can’t even put it into words how upset I was.
Losing sucks and any loss in this tournament would’ve hurt. But it’s just the fact that Preston wasn’t out there. The fact that he had to sit the last ten minutes of his career just isn’t fair and it’s what I thought about the rest of the night. The video of him toward the end was just heartbreaking.
This was a magical season. I know that’s not what people want to read right now but it really was. Thanks to Mike and all of the other Card Chronicle contributors for making it that much better.
by crazygameofpoker on Mar 19, 2011 1:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Sigh.
Saw the replay on CBS. Kinda telling when both announcers are yelling about it being a foul. Anyways, time to enjoy the rest of the tournament. Btw, Andre McGee likes to do his grocery shopping Saturday mornings at Wal-mart.
No question that Kentucky playing on the second weekend for the second straight year makes this even worse.
We need to get things going in the tournament next year. This is not fun.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 2:25 PM EDT reply actions
I also don't like having to root for West Virginia two years in a row
Just feels wrong.
by Chris Redman is my hero on Mar 19, 2011 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously. Comprosing every bit of integrity and dignity that we have.
It should not come down to this. At this time next year, I really don’t want to be seeing Rick in a CBS studio.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Geez Mike that was kinda
of depressing. Makes me want to grab the bottle, again. Not that I don’t agree, but I was hoping that you were going to justify the loss some how. At least something along the lines of we weren’t suppose to be here anyway or maybe the standard… there are more important things in life than cardinal basketball. Now I can’t wait until it gets dark and I can argue the acceptance of heavy binge drinking without much debate. Still though because of expectations..MSU loss in 09 is still worse for me.
by tnowka on Mar 19, 2011 3:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Geez Mike that was kinda
of depressing. Makes me want to grab the bottle, again. Not that I don’t agree, but I was hoping that you were going to justify the loss some how. At least something along the lines of we weren’t suppose to be here anyway or maybe the standard… there are more important things in life than cardinal basketball. Now I can’t wait until it gets dark and I can argue the acceptance of heavy binge drinking without much debate. Still though because of expectations..MSU loss in 09 is still worse for me.
by tnowka on Mar 19, 2011 3:21 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
The main thing this loss did was put a TON of pressure on next year's team
The Sosa and Preston team’s set the bar real high for regular season play, but real low for post season play. We’ve basically been the BCS of college basketball the past 2 seasons. We’ve had the ‘ego team’, then we’ve had the ‘lovable underdogs team’, but that is not going to fly next year. There is no more ‘bridge year’ or ‘I love this team so much!!" talk next year. This year’s “Miracle on Main” is going to be next year’s “Why the hell were you down 18 at home in the first place?!” This year was fun due to the low expectations coming into the season, but next season is not going to be as fun or carefree based on what people are going to expect from this team.
People are going to expect next year’s team to not claw from behind every game, but crush teams and close out close games. Fans are not going to tolerate Siva in constant foul trouble, Marra airballing 3s, TJ getting the ball slapped away when it is thrown to him in the post, Kuric exploding for 28 one game then disappearing for the next 3, Dieng goaltending every game. Hopefully either Kuric, TJ, or Swop learned what it takes to be a captain from Preston! because they are going to have a tall order on themselves next year.
The ‘bridge year, lovable scamp, underdog’ team finished Thursday, and although it was fun, a year like that should never happen again at Louisville.
by Tryce1 on Mar 19, 2011 3:31 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
i wouldn't be so tough
thats a REAL negative way of looking at next year. what i saw all year was us building a brand of ‘no ego’, play hard and give it your all. trust your teammates and bring the energy! not once did i hear Rick give an excuse. we still should have won without preston. not 1 guy is the key to our team.
sounds like all of his statements were designed to sink into the psyche of the returning players. that and the returning players from injury have us INCREDIBLY deep next year. expect the full court press ALL 40 mins. expect 3 secs to cross halfcourt ALL SEASON. expect it all, we’ll be awesome. i know we will.
I know you'll get a lot of grief for this post but I think the analysis is pretty much correct.
There have been too many people who got lost in how much they love this team, and were able to completely block out their weaknesses to the point where they would ridicule anyone who dared to mention them. Whoever said love is blind was right!
by Carolina Cardinal on Mar 19, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, love is blind.
That’s the glory of it. And this team deserved every bit of the love we gave them. I kid you not, I’d rather follow (and love) a team like this, flawed though they are, than an arrogant, uber-talented final four team – or an NBA team, for that matter. If I wanted perfection, I’d watch the pros. I don’t. I find it boring.
I am probably in the minority, but this team, with their two-star captain and undersized front line and, yes, their first-round exit from the tournament, is my favorite team of all time. It’s not that I didn’t see their flaws. It’s that I saw their heart, on full display, all year long.
by Loouhvul on Mar 19, 2011 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
YOu mat be in the minority
but you are not alone. Rec’d.
"Screech, you CAN'T elope!"
"Who are you calling a cantaloupe, you melonhead?"
I don't think you're in the minority actually.
Most fans would rather follow a team with heart (even if they can’t rebound or shoot free throws) than a bunch of T-Wills. Its just the later that get loud after a loss.
by johnnyjoejohnson on Mar 19, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
You aren't in the minority in that fans would love to follow a team like this but
you are in the minority if you think they would over a final four team. You think people would rather have this past team or the 2005 team? There is a reason people view the Michigan State loss as one of if not the worse loss they can ever remember because it denied us a Final Four and possible championship. Go ask a UK fan if they would trade any of their Final Four’s to have a team like ours for a season, then go ask a ND or Pitt fan if there is a team in their history they wouldn’t trade to get to a Final Four.
Comparing myself to a UK or Notre Dame fan is the last thing I want to do.
I’m a Louisville fan, and I loved this team. Even more than the 09 team. I loved the 08 team more than the 09 team as well for that matter. Maybe it’s because I’m a football guy, but the entire state of basketball today makes it very hard for me to love the elite teams because, by and large, they’re selfish children. I respect passion and hard work.
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I didn’t ignore the weaknesses of this team. I chose instead to recognize their different set of strengths. They may have struggled at rebounding and free throws from time to time, but they had a fire and a passion that we haven’t seen here in a while. The 09 team had no troubles rebounding and only slight FT troubles, but they never had the passion that this year’s team. As much as I hate to say it, they relied on talent far more than they should’ve, and it was painful and frustrating when they chose to phone it in. The end result was absolutely maddening losses like Connecticut, Notre Dame and Michigan State; games that weren’t heartbreaking as much as they were a reminder that that group’s production was hindered only by their lack of commitment.
I happen to believe that we make it to at least the Elite Eight nine times out of ten if Preston stays healthy. I know this is a controversial stance, but I personally would take this team every time. It’s like settling down and getting married; your wife may not be Angelina Jolie, but you love her and she’s certainly less likely to cheat on you with Brad Pitt.
The key, of course, is finding a committed and faithful Angelina Jolie that you really love. Doesn’t happen very often. Likewise, only 1% of teams make the Final Four every year.
Here’s hoping we find the magic combination next year. But I personally loved this team, and the heartbreak that I still feel 3 days later is testament to that.
by CARD_G6 on Mar 19, 2011 9:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
I don't see the elite teams full of selfish children
Are you talking about Kansas, who came together to support their teammate who lost his grandmother and mother? Are you talking about Ohio State, who openly, OPENLY, sing Miley Cyrus songs to support their freshman center who likes them? Are you talking about Duke? North Carolina? Florida? None of these teams seem to have selfish children on their roster, they all have passion, and they all work hard.
I know how beloved this team was and how much people enjoyed them, no one is debating or questioning that. What I refuse to believe is that people would chose this team over a final four or national championship team, and that they will remember this team forever. If we have a team 3-4 years from now that is full of ego or attitude, but gets to a Final Four or wins a National Championship, no one is going to come on here and say “Man, I miss that team from 2010, I didn’t enjoy this year as much as that one.” Louisville teams are judged on their season success by 5 criteria:
1.) Did you beat Kentucky?
2.) Did you win your conference regular season?
3.) Did you win your conference tournament?
4.) Did you get to the Final Four?
5.) Did you win a National Championship?
If a team does not accomplish at least 2 of these, they are forgotten or ignored. You’ll remember certain players, the David Padgetts and Preston Knowles of our time, but 5-10 years from now, you won’t remember the Miracle on Main, beating ND in the Garden, Kyle Kuric getting a tech for a sweet dunk, or all the close games. You may think you will now, but trust me, you won’t. It is just the nature of sports and competition.
Now, if the worse case scenario happens, and Kentucky gets to a Final Four or God forbid a national championship, this team will instantly be forgotten because Louisville fans will pretend 2010 did not happen. There is a reason for that. UK fans don’t talk about their 2005 team, but we talk about ours. We don’t talk about our 1996 team, but UK fans talk about theirs. UK fans don’t talk about their 1986 team, but we talk about ours. Regardless of what happens in a certain year, neither fanbase is going to dwell on a team that reminds them of the success of the other.
UK still loves the Unforgettables.
They still talk about them. They lost to Duke in the NCAAT and did not make the Final Four. That’s been almost twenty years ago.
I personally don't give a shit what UK does this year, or any other.
Not when it comes to measuring how much I love the Cardinals. Frankly, I think that’s a depressing way to be a fan.
UK making the NIT in 09 doesn’t make me feel any differently about the 09 team.
Again, no one is debating, measuring, or arguing how much you or anyone else loves this team
I’ve said that at least 3 times now. I’m simply wondering why some are claiming they would chose this team over a Final Four/ National Championship team.
Also, of course UK making the NIT in 09 doesn’t change how you feel about the 09 team. It shouldn’t impact how you FEEL about that team at all. But you are also using an example in which UK does worse than UofL in that given year. A rival doing worse than you isn’t going to impact your memories of a certain year, but they certainly will if they do better.
I personally do not buy it when UofL fans say that they don’t care what UK does. We are rivals, hated ones in some respects. Everything that one team does has a impact on the other. Every win and loss affects the other’s RPI and potential tournament seeding. UK has been clamoring for a new stadium since ours was announced. We have lost highly valued recruits to UK. I’ve listened to entire 3 hour radio shows dedicated to bashing the other team’s fanbase after a loss or news item. There are fans who use vacation days after a particularly hard loss just so they can avoid the ridicule of their coworkers. Now if you live outside Kentucky and don’t have friends or family members who root for UK and constantly remind you that they do and you don’t, then yeah, it might be possible to not care what UK does in a given year. If those don’t apply, then you are just like the rest of us.
Be honest everyone
I would take a team of dislikable freshman who wins a championship over this one.
Think about this: Would you take away a final four/national championship to get a team like this. A final four would be icing on the cake. I still love the team. But I know that I want a chapionship.
"Marquise Teague Sucks!"
-Bryce Cotton
I'd love a championship
but I wouldn’t love an arrogant team more than this one.
"Screech, you CAN'T elope!"
"Who are you calling a cantaloupe, you melonhead?"
No, I didn't say "THEY" would prefer
following this team. In fact, I said the fact that I would prefer this team to any other i’ve followed (which obviously includes Final Four teams) probably puts me in the minority. The season lasted for months, and it was glorious.
It would have been perfect, of course, if this had been a Final Four team. It wasn’t. That doesn’t erase November, December, January, and February.
Not to be a jerk here
but you need to get over yourself. You can look at a box score and say, “we’re -18 in rebounds and 54% in FTs, those are prioblems.” So what? Anybody can do that.
Enjoy your “vindication.” Maybe next year when UL gets down by 18 at home and people are calling for Rick’s head you can get some more vindication.
by johnnyjoejohnson on Mar 19, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree to an extent - losing in the first round raised the bar for next year, but not dramatically.
If this team had gotten to a Sweet 16 (or God forbid something more), it would have taken some pressure off next year’s team to excel in the postseason. But I think that after this year’s first-round exit, the previous year’s first-round exit, and losing to MSU in the Elite Eight in Indy with the #1 overall seed (and a massive home-court advantage), people are really hungry for something big next year. People were always going to hope for big things with this recruiting class and our returning players, but this turns it up a notch. That said, Rick will be the one feeling that pressure more than the players.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Minor Thing
I was at the MSU game. There was not a massive home-court advantage. Maybe 60-40, but a LOT of Green in Indy.
by Chris Redman is my hero on Mar 19, 2011 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
To be fair...
East Lansing is only a few hours from Indy as well. It’s not like they were coming from clear across the country.
by CARD_G6 on Mar 19, 2011 9:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
How does a loss raise the bar?
If these guys had gotten to the Elite Eight, then next year it would be “If the 2011 team did it with all those injuries and no stars, then you’d better do at least as well.”
Expectations will be sky high for next year’s team, but not because of this years first-round loss.
"Screech, you CAN'T elope!"
"Who are you calling a cantaloupe, you melonhead?"
I didn't say that those losses raised the bar
I said that these last two teams raised the bar for regular season performance but lowered it for post season performance. The losses add pressure to next year’s team to do something in the postseason. With the talent and experience coming back next year, they can’t flame out again in the first round. Once you can blame on a bad team, twice you can blame on bad luck, but if it happens a third time people will flip out. Expectations were high for next year, but I believe that they just got higher after what has occurred the last two post seasons
Because when fans go through a series of disappointing NCAA losses, they want more the next time around.
Just the way it works. If this year’s team goes Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight, then any potential bad loss next year would be easier to take. As it stands, a bad early loss next year would have people that much more frustrated.
Not saying it’s fair, but that is the way the ball bounces.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
So vacated wins do count for purposes of 6 straight Sweet Sixteens?
It is really obnoxious. When the NCAA vacates your victories, they don’t count. When will CBS/ESPN/whoever get this?
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 4:22 PM EDT reply actions
yeah that always makes me mad when they say that cal has been to 2 final 4's...NO HE HASN'T!
by uoflcards321 on Mar 19, 2011 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Makes me wonder how overrated he'd be in that Forbes piece if they don't include his vacated FFs.
Enjoyed earlier this season when he was honored for his 500th victory. Then someone pointed out the vacated victories and he still had away to go. Funny stuff.
by CardinalDude on Mar 19, 2011 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions
And he hasn't been to 6 straight Sweet Sixteens...
Unless you count the vacated one. Good grief.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions
After looking back, I was wrong the other day when I said I didn’t love this team.
Yes, that is Kyle Kuric
by TheRealSlimShady on Mar 19, 2011 7:52 PM EDT reply actions
Times were hard. You were bad
But I welcome you back with love.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Mar 19, 2011 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
May have jumped the gun on this one.
Where were these refs at the end of our game?
by johnnyjoejohnson on Mar 19, 2011 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Where is everybody?
Don’t tell me I’m the only loser watching games by myself and clinging to the blog of my team that lost over 2 days ago.
by johnnyjoejohnson on Mar 19, 2011 9:19 PM EDT reply actions
I'm here.
But I started crying after Pitt. Today was the worst day. Yesterday I thought I would get better. Never.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Mar 19, 2011 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm with you
just logged on. that Pitt/Butler finish was ridiculous… ridiculously stupid, that is. I can’t believe two players as good as Mack and Robinson BOTH committed fouls in that situation, especially back-to-back.
Bad coaching
Pitt’s players should have been pulled off the line. Why risk the foul? Let Butler try a length-of-the-court heave.
Butler’s coach was smart enough to pull his players off the line.
"Screech, you CAN'T elope!"
"Who are you calling a cantaloupe, you melonhead?"
Dixon did not cover himself with glory at the end of this one.
Pitt’s possession with the 1-point lead was about as bad as it gets. They waited too long to go, and they didn’t seem to have much of a plan when they did.
I didn’t think any of the BE’s top teams were really elite teams, this year, so I’m not shocked. But it is still disappointing to see the top of the league disappearing like this.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions
unfortunately, we're still going to fall victim
to a ‘oh the big east was overhyped’ narrative, just because the media blew us up after we dominated in out of conference..
Why would they pull players off the line?
Why wouldn’t they try to get the rebound on a miss in a tie game? The only bad part was the dude got overzealous and fouled
The way it transpired speaks for itself.
Offensive rebounds off of missed free throws are rare. If they don’t go for one, a miss means overtime. Risking a foul means risking… well, you saw it.
"Screech, you CAN'T elope!"
"Who are you calling a cantaloupe, you melonhead?"
Yeah because Memphis didn't get an offensive rebound against Arizona
You go for the win, and not OT in my book
So I just saw Demonte Harper's line today -- 0-6 from three-point range.
And MHSU was 2-14 two days after going 9-19 against us. Because Richmond is so much better than us defensively? No. Hell no. Because that was their day, and we were unlucky.
I am officially not a fan of Demonte Harper, MHSU, their dream-catching coach, or their call-getting big man. Fuck it all.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 19, 2011 10:17 PM EDT reply actions
I too, admit to a moment of extreme Morehead hate.
It just about overwhelmed me at the end of that game today. Why did they have to have the game of their lives against us, then collapse for RICHMOND??
You just knew they would collapse and make our defeat look even worse.
by Chip Constant on Mar 20, 2011 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Morehead sucks. I hate them.
And yeah, it makes me feel even worse about our defeat to know that they couldn’t even give Richmond a game.
by cardsinindy2010 on Mar 20, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
We should still be playing
FUCK. I still can’t believe it ended that way this year. Still in shock. And that asshole Dagget deserved it all right. We didn’t.
Go Cards!
Little Bill WAS an asshole
And nobody on this team was…it is just patently unfair.
If my year continues on this vector I may be headed for an intervention.
I am really having a hard time coming to grips with this. Still. 3 days later.
I have to have an intervention. I'm only getting worse
It’s only been 3 days????? feels like years
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Mar 20, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Just got home from my Island vacation.
I got engaged while we were there so, the week wasn’t a total loss. I didn’t get to see the game and now that I’ve read what happened I’m kind of glad I didn’t. I probably would have spent the last few days of Dominican Surf/Sun baking in an alcohol induced depressed daze by the pool.
A toe injury? Really?
I curse the basketball gods and their sick sense of humor.
by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Mar 20, 2011 1:33 PM EDT reply actions
Thanks, I've gotten the run down from a few people at this point and it's still prety depressing.
I think my emotions are in the same place everyone who saw it happen were a few days after. I must be the biggest college basketball fan all my friends know because everyone keeps telling me how sorry they are, like my dog just died or something. Only it’s not helping and I feel like punching someone in the face.
by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Mar 21, 2011 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Unforgiven
Little Bill Daget was not the “hero” that you have painted him to be. If Little Bill had done what was right, he would have arrested the two men that physically assalted a women. That was his job as sherriff and if he had indeed done what was right, there would be no need for vigilante justice and William Munny comig to town to kill the two offenders. Will Munny was the “prince in not so shining armor” that came to the defense of a damsel in distress when the corrupt system failed miserably. The fact that Little Bill DID deserve to die exactly like that make your analogy one of the very worst of all time . . . but it was a good line from a good movie.
I still hurt
Louisville’s record over teams in the Sweet 16 this season: 5-1.
by REALISTICCARDSFAN on Mar 21, 2011 10:02 AM EDT reply actions
Forgot UK
Guess I blocked out that memory. Thanks for the reminder though. Dammit. I hate this years tournament.
by REALISTICCARDSFAN on Mar 21, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
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