Louisville Uses Big Second Half To Top Villanova 84-74
by Mike Rutherford on Jan 25, 2012 11:04 PM EST
in Basketball
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PrintThe biggest step in making the jump from "in a rut" to "on a run" is restoring confidence.
From Louisville hitting eight straight free-throws with the game in the balance, to Peyton Siva burying four outside jumpers, to Jared Swopshire making two key offensive plays in the closing minutes, to Chane Behanan dominating the paint in the second half; U of L's 84-74 win over Villanova was far more important than the final score indicates.
Is this where we hoped the Cards would be on Jan. 25? Absolutely not, but this team is just now learning how to play with the pieces it has, and because of that these last two games could not have been more valuable.
At 2-4 in the Big East and with so many players out or dealing with injuries, I think all most of us wanted was for this group to give us some hope that substantial success in February and March was at least possible. I think that's happened now.
Double digit wins over Pitt and Villanova aren't anything to write home about, but Peyton Siva looking like a guy with restored confidence, Gorgui Dieng getting 13 and 14 rebounds a night, Russ Smith learning when to make a pass in transition; those things are.
You don't have to strain so much anymore to see the light. It may not be as bright as any of us hoped it would be before the season, but that doesn't change the fact that it's there.
We'll have more in the morning, but for now, I leave with you with Glasses Rick (Glasses Rick!):
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excellent
I also got a hint of Moe Greene
by nate johnson's freshman season on Jan 26, 2012 12:33 AM EST up reply actions
I love everybody now because this is my team this is the real Cards they are alive and most of all
WHO CARE, WE THE VILLE.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Jan 25, 2012 11:08 PM EST reply actions
That's 2 in a Row!
Now if we can steal a win at SH Saturday night, we’ll be in very good shape with Rutgers coming to town. Go ’Ville!
"if we can steal a win at Seton Hall"
Can’t say I was expecting to hear that sentence when the season started. Or ever.
by Kevin Spradlin on Jan 26, 2012 12:00 AM EST up reply actions
I don't disagree.
Just saying, I didn’t expect to be in that situation at the beginning of the year when we were thinking Final FOur and they were looking like NIT.
by Kevin Spradlin on Jan 26, 2012 3:08 AM EST up reply actions
And when I say “beginning of the year” I mean before the season started. Because I know someone will point out that they’ve been good all season.
by Kevin Spradlin on Jan 26, 2012 3:09 AM EST up reply actions
Pretty sure we've never won at Seton Hall.
At least not since we joined the Big East.
by Peter McSheisty on Jan 26, 2012 2:44 AM EST up reply actions
We haven’t played that well in the Northeast at all since joining the Big East. I had to sit through the overrated chant at the Seton Hall game a few seasons ago. Not fun.
by mageezy on Jan 26, 2012 6:18 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
they both were dead sexy..
I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
by rockchickpeg on Jan 25, 2012 11:33 PM EST up reply actions
As long as we win it really doesn't matter who is in a suit!
No disrespect to the injured players!
But what if Mike not being in a suit prevents us from winning?
Thinks about that for a second…
by Mike Rutherford on Jan 25, 2012 11:21 PM EST up reply actions
Swop is the new Marra
He just seemed to play smart tonight. It was great that he hit the three late, and his game just seemed to flow a little easier. Needs some tats though. And a full beard.
they are the least alike people ever maybe................. but Swop is swoppin and I'm behind it
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Jan 25, 2012 11:40 PM EST up reply actions
+1....
and lets just hope Swop Swopping lingers for a While
by grey on Jan 26, 2012 5:45 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'm never loving it
when he’s in the game, but I understand the necessity of it tonight. Happy for him that he was able to step up in a big way
by grey on Jan 26, 2012 5:53 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Did anyone else think that the team avoids passing it to Swop in the post?
Seems like he pops out there for the pass and even when open they prefer to just pass it to the wing. At least, that’s what it looked like to me. Anyone else see it that way?
by Carolina Cardinal on Jan 26, 2012 7:10 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe not so much avoid, as
it just doesn’t happen often because Swop isn’t strong/aggressive enough to carve out good positions down low.
Saw some really positive things tonight
Peyton burying jumpers off the bounce, and Chane not settling for outside shots/doing work inside.
Solid things to build on.
by ProZachSmith on Jan 25, 2012 11:35 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Definitely, and let's not forget making 17 of their last 19 free throws. That really iced it for us.
by Carolina Cardinal on Jan 26, 2012 7:11 AM EST up reply actions
Did you notice Chane's FT routine?
When he missed the early ones it wasn’t the slow, deliberate, slow (did I say slow?) routine. The early misses were shot several seconds faster than the made streak later in the game. He is far better when he is as slow as molasses.
Peyton is definitely turning the corner, but I have one gripe...
And that is when he drives the lane, stops at the foul line and picks up his dribble. He leaves himself almost helpless, because mostly everyone knows what he’s going to do in the high pick and roll. Maybe Gorgui or whoever he’s running it with at the time isn’t doing it quite right. Maybe he’s a little out of control and isn’t quite sure what he wants to do when he gets to the paint. Whatever it is, as soon as its fixed, our offense will be (here’s your cue, td) stout. Love the W. Love these Cards. Beat Seton Hall.
ALL HAIL
by Cardinal_Pride on Jan 25, 2012 11:44 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Does anyone know if a picture exists
of Kuric’s “Get off me/what now?/Don’t fuck with me” look he showed off to the student section after he was fouled on that rebound in the last four minutes or so? I was a little scared of it, even though he plays for us. That look could’ve easily killed a small child. Awesome.
how great
was that “you suck” chant to the refs in the second half.. epic
I participated in that
It was a very awesome atmosphere once people got in there considering the 2nd st bridge was closed and traffic was mangled everywhere before tipoff
I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
by rockchickpeg on Jan 26, 2012 12:00 AM EST up reply actions
GO CARDS!!! F the Refs!!!
Gotta love the will to win these guys have, when they have it. I was calling them “Refuse to Lose” early in the season and tonight it reminded me of that. PS the laughable call on Dieng-alang when the guy just tripped on his shoe summed up the BE officiating this year, fire them all and start a new.
by CardTrainHustle on Jan 26, 2012 7:44 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Gee, could that have been because they did suck?
We had whiplash several teams under the basket and didn’t get a call but the three blind mice called us for several touch fouls under the Nova basket. Different ends of the court were called very differently.
was at the game tonight! glad to see Sivabear get his shot back, Russ passes, Chris smith made an appearance, and Gorgs. Proud of crowd in the Yum! booing Refs, standing for the last 5 minutes of the game, really loud CARD chants during timeouts. And I’m glad we won so that I can continue going to games.
by SummerofGeorge on Jan 25, 2012 11:49 PM EST via Android app reply actions
I was that crazy, fat 40-year-old woman in section 101 jumping like an 115-lb. college freshman.
Basketball’s a hellavu drug.
Encouraging Signs
In my mind, there were two developments tonight that give me great hope. Obviously, the first is the retun of Peyton’s jumper. The ability to hit that shot from the elbow changes the entire complexion of the offense. The other was the emergence of Gorgui’s passing. He made several great bounce passes both from within the interior and from the high post. Big developments, big win.
Let's not forget Russ passing so well
He had five assists to only two TOs. And that doesn’t credit him for two passes that resulted in fouls denying the basket. I have always felt that a pass leading to a shooting foul should count as an assist just like a pass leading to a basket. In fact if both free throws are made it is even more valuable than a pass for a FG because it can put an opponent in foul trouble and contributes to getting into the bonus and double bonus sooner.
passing Russ is the only Russ for me
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Jan 26, 2012 9:37 AM EST up reply actions
NO. Sometimes we need him to score.
We are a better team when he is a psser because we are playing well and he doesn’t need to score. But when unfortunately everyone else’s shot is off (please Basketball God, don’t let it happen again) we need a scorer. They are a different breed.
Therefore- passing Russ will continue to be the only Russ for me
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Jan 26, 2012 10:41 AM EST up reply actions
That’s just ridiculous. He’s the best player on our team at creating his own shot. It’s great that his passing is improving but there’s a reason he earned tons of offensive awards in high school and basketball camps. The man makes things happen.
Agree. I think his quickness on that first step gets him some openings that others do not get.
If teammates can learn to cut as soon as Russ starts to take off, lots of good things can happen.
by Carolina Cardinal on Jan 26, 2012 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
what about
the kings new fresh fade
by PS3theFuture on Jan 26, 2012 12:50 AM EST via mobile reply actions
The King needs the Kevin Love beard.
Or maybe not.
by charliestrongmancrush.com on Jan 26, 2012 8:58 AM EST up reply actions
Forget the beard
I’d love to have Kevin Love.
Kevin Ware
Anybody notice when he first comes in the game he commits a turnover??? I wish CRP would never play him again. Ever since he was cleared we have gone down hill, and he has never really contributed to this team. I would rather have Justice in
I really like Bullet as a backup point guard, but I didn't think the Bullet / Siva tandem looked very good out there together.
by Carolina Cardinal on Jan 26, 2012 7:15 AM EST up reply actions
I agree
And when Ware was in, it looked like no one wanted to pass it to him. I don’t know if it was part of the offense to keep it on one side of the floor, but when the ball was at the top of the key they would look to their right like they were going to pass, see that it was Ware standing there, then pass it back to the left again.
"It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up."
-Muhammad Ali
I also saw where he was out of position a few times
It’s like he comes over near the action because he wants the ball. Siva had to wave him away back to his position to spread out the defenders. Even though he’s physically fit enough to play, it still looks like either doesn’t know what to do at some points, or chooses not to. Based on his reactions and his father’s rants, I really think he’s been part of the team chemistry problem. Just my opinion, but I think he’ll be alright when he knows/follows what he’s supposed to do to be a part of the team.
My take is he is a far better athlete than basketball player
He isn’t a good enough ball handler for the 1 and not a good enough shooter for the 2. I noticed this watching him in the Derby Classic. Hopefully with time and enough work he will turn out to be one or the other but right now he is neither.
T Will sure hasnt become the star we thought he would be.... but I still love him.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Jan 26, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
He's got similar natural talent.
I hope you are just referring to his persona…because having another skill level T-will on the court would be dandy by any Louisville fan.
by Remote Cardinal on Jan 26, 2012 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
He keeps falling out of favor with his NBA coaches because of his attitude
If he can screw his head on fast enough he has a future because he has NBA talent. If the screw threads don’t work he’ll bounce around Europe. Houston has already said they won’t pick up his option for next year so he will be a free agent.
Twill has new woman, new life, new tude.
Good Twill doesn’t even need basketball.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Jan 26, 2012 6:23 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Too tired to watch it all,
damn this chest cold, but glad to hear we won! {now if only I can avoid Mike associating my sickness with us winning, don’t think I can live through getting sick for every game).
Anyone know why they didn't let Gorgui sub in for Chane when he picked up his 2nd?
They let it happen, then the refs changed their mind. And literally 15 seconds later Chane had 3.
According to the commentators,
it was because the clock never started. Sounded reasonable to me.
"We are on a collision course with the national championship; the only variable is time"
by RedRage11 on Jan 26, 2012 6:43 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Just looked over the box score for the first time
Siva with a 5:1 assist-to-turnover ratio
Very balanced scoring with 5 guys in double figures (plus Russ with 8 and Swop with 6)
Assists out the wazoo from everyone
And of course GORGUI with another double-double
I’m very very happy with our performance (especially down the stretch), especially considering the number of easy buckets we had to sort of “give-up” to avoid players fouling out
I know, at least, you and I ripped him.
I’m saying a good portion of the celebration was because it was Swop who made. Dude deserved it. Glockner has no idea of that.
Stout Out!
CELEBRATION IS CALLED FOR IN ANY AND EVERY WIN.
What if AG caught on to the great tradition of DePaul Day. Whewie.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Jan 26, 2012 9:48 AM EST up reply actions
Has Peyton Siva even attempted that 15' jumper prior to the last two games?
I feel like with him it was either shooting the three or driving – no mid range shot.
The entire team seems to have
That “bounce” back in their step. I’ve noticed this especially with Siva. The one concern that remains is the boys tend to “forget” Deing at times. Much as I think Siva is a huge piece of the winning equation, Deing is the most important. Chane is really coming along in that regard as well however I think presently Deing brings more as a complete package.
Win at SH on the road will be another huge step in the right direction. Things looking up!
Go Cards!
by twistedwedge on Jan 26, 2012 9:55 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I agree
I think Dieng and Behanan should both be posting something like 15-20 points and 10-12 rebounds every game.
by regis villebin on Jan 26, 2012 10:03 AM EST up reply actions
Gorgs can do that. I need to tally his double doubles because they are plenty
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Jan 26, 2012 10:42 AM EST up reply actions
Wasn't last night his ninth of the season?
Seems as if he’s had at least 15
by twistedwedge on Jan 26, 2012 11:15 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
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