Louisville Tallies First Big East Win With 73-58 Triumph Over St. John's
by Mike Rutherford on Jan 3, 2012 10:04 PM EST
in Basketball
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PrintIt was another slow offensive start for the Cards and another game that was borderline unwatchable for stretches, but ultimately Louisville got what it needed to get out of its trip to the Big Apple.
Your key stat lines...
Russ Smith: 17 points, 6 assists, 4 steals, 4 rebounds.
Gorgui Dieng: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 7 blocks.
More in a bit.
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AIR WARE
Think I saw a split second of what Coach was referring to with KWare. AIR MOTHER EFFING WARE
by LouisvilleSklardinalFAN02 on Jan 3, 2012 10:10 PM EST reply actions
Pitino said Russ didn't play well
So weird.
Everything Russ does makes sense when you just accept he has no idea what the score, opponent, time on the clock or even that there are people other than those in the stands aware the game is taking place.
I think Pitino was referring more to his end of game management
When they got out on breaks, and ended up turning it over/fouling. They didn’t drive to the goal for easy baskets, and they didn’t pull it out to run off the clock. They ran right into pressure, and turned it over repeatedly.
Granted Siva did that several times as well, so I’m not sure that Russ should be singled out for it.
I think Pitino hardly mentioned Siva (did he mention him at all) because, really, there was nothing worth mentioning about his play tonight.
by regis villebin on Jan 3, 2012 10:28 PM EST up reply actions
He said Peyton didn't play well.
"I am willing to donate to the charity that is working on the prevention of whatever the hell Dick Vitale has." - noobmaster
correct and correct
The question was about Russ, so at first Coach was talking about him. And be backed up first and said Russ has been playing terrific basketball.
Then the question morphed to Kuric, who CRP also said didn’t do well, and then he restarted by listing Gorgui and Swop as the 2 who played well, and Siva, CSmith, Kuric and Chane did not.
leader in points, assists, steals, third in rebounds
Yes, his % was down but it now seems that if Russ had a quintuple double CRP wouldn’t be happy with him. What gives?
I could be compleatly wrong...
but I think Russ thrives off of being told he needs to get better. I just get the vibe that this is what drives Russ and CRP knows it. Like I said I could be wrong though.
by BetaCard466 on Jan 3, 2012 11:02 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Careful as this strategy, if indeed
it is a premeditated strategy, could backfire eventually. Keep it up and there’s going to be an emotional backlash/breakdown or issues of some sort..
I don't think it's a premeditated strategy
These comments were made right after the game. After reviewing the video, Pitino rated Russ’s performance at 5 stars and alluded to the reason he had been so negative.
Most of his reaches late, which really irritated the coaching staff because of clock stoppage, were not good calls. He has to manage the clock with the lead. That will be pivotal playing future road games. Outside of that, he was great.Translation: the post-game comments were made in the heat of the moment, and on reflection Russ actually played a very good game.
"I am willing to donate to the charity that is working on the prevention of whatever the hell Dick Vitale has." - noobmaster
Russ Smith plays better as a point guard
When he’s actually playing the 2 spot. He and Kevin Ware (I thought) both played better than Siva did tonight.
Russ Smith is doing everything right now. Yes, he still makes completely boneheaded, WTF plays. But overall they are lessening. He’s turning into a guaranteed double digit scorer, he’s distributing the ball better than Siva is, he’s giving insane pressure defense (the second coming of Preston!?), and he’s even grabbing rebounds to boot. What more could you ask of him, besides more of everything?
I liked what I saw of Ware today. He made some real dumb, “freshman” passes today, which i kind of expected. But he showed off his athleticism, and that he does have a decent shot. He’s got good length and speed, and once he’s completely caught up in their defensive and offensive schemes, I think he’ll be a valuable contributor.
I think Ware + R. Smith was the best combination on the floor tonight. Siva just still is having issues. He finally started driving with purpose tonight, but he still seems very timid when he gets into traffic, and is making bad decisions.
Good game by Kuric and Dieng.
Swop and Buckles are enigma’s right now. One moment they’re dominantly grabbing rebounds and getting to the rim, the next they’re being blocked out by guards giving up 6 inches and 50 pounds to them.
Solid username
And comments
ALL HAIL
by Cardinal_Pride on Jan 4, 2012 12:26 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Thanks!
Took me 2 days to think up the username before I registered. I figured I’d been lurking long enough, and I wanted to start giving my own 2 cents.
by regis villebin on Jan 4, 2012 9:23 AM EST up reply actions
Apparently, cbcard would too.
"I am willing to donate to the charity that is working on the prevention of whatever the hell Dick Vitale has." - noobmaster
Russ's future is at the point
And he has the potential (which often means you ain’t done crap yet) to be special
Buckles and Swop
I agree fully with your comment. Could the problem be that neither one gets a steady diet of playing time to get in a groove?
Overall I liked the way the lineups went tonight. I liked that Siva was pulled out of the game when he was off.
I wish someone would get some minutes in for Kyle but whatever. I’ll take it. I’m really liking the fact that Kevin Ware is getting a chance despite making mistakes.
Occupy Black Uniforms!
Not trying to be a jerk, but what would your no-Kyle lineup have looked like tonight considering
Siva was out with foul trouble and the Ware-Russ combo was working well?
by Remote Cardinal on Jan 3, 2012 10:28 PM EST up reply actions
I'd throw
Buckles in opposite Behanan with Dieng in the middle for a larger lineup.
Chris Smith opposite Behanan/Buckles for a smaller lineup.
by regis villebin on Jan 3, 2012 10:31 PM EST up reply actions
Good point.
I haven’t seen Price or Nunez in so long I tend to forget they’re on the team…
by regis villebin on Jan 3, 2012 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
Sure, I'd buy Nunez in for the last 4 mins or so.
Nothing will teach him the defense faster than making mistakes in a game that he can later watch on film.
by Remote Cardinal on Jan 3, 2012 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
I watched at a BW3's out here, so I missed the game thread
but my sole comment is the following:
We need to send Chane to finishing school. Badly. Kid has missed more dunks and gimme bunnies this freshman season than Samardo did in his career at Louisville. It’s bad. And needs fixed. In my opinion, the main issues are elevation and concentration. He’s not getting good elevation on his jumps off both feet. And when he does get to jump off a single foot, it seems he’s lacking concentration. I don’t think he’s worried about style points, but something is missing for him mentally. I hope he grows out of this problem soon, because we’re going to need every point we can get in some games this season.
by Remote Cardinal on Jan 3, 2012 10:27 PM EST reply actions
I agree
If he’s within 3 feet of the basket, it should be a throwdown dunk with no possibility of being blocked without it being a flagrant foul.
Same with Dieng. He’s better about it than Behanan, but they both still have issues with it.
by regis villebin on Jan 3, 2012 10:29 PM EST up reply actions
Send him to me. I will finish him.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Jan 3, 2012 11:07 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
i think
He’s too predictable, defenders are timing their jumps perfect on him, he needs to add some pump fakes and use the rim more for protection in my opinion
by itsALLintheCARDS on Jan 3, 2012 11:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
No Russ, no win
and that’s it. Why Rick doesn’t give him more props is beyond me.
This is inexplicable. Without Russ this team is no better than 9-4. Rick should be kissing the kid.
by Carolina Cardinal on Jan 3, 2012 10:41 PM EST up reply actions
Only reason i can think of
is that Rick is afraid he’ll get complacent and not play as hard if he starts heaping praise on him? I don’t know.
Maybe we’re finally starting to see the Russ that Rick expected to see all along, and he’s pushing him because he knows he can be even better?
by regis villebin on Jan 3, 2012 10:47 PM EST up reply actions
Remember Denny talking about how you have to handle different personalities differently?
I think his examples were milt Wagner and Billy Thompson. You could give milt he’ll to motivate him, but you had to handle Billy with care. Well, when you’re dealing with an interrobang, you have to be hard on him or he’ll launch 25 shots per game. Maybe it’s something like that.
by cardsinindy2010 on Jan 3, 2012 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
I agree.
Russ is playing well either in spite or despite the criticism. So either Pitino is smart and knows how to handle Russ or Russ is a mentally tough kid. Both are good things.
by Remote Cardinal on Jan 3, 2012 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
i agree 100%.
He is a new york guard…. we don’t need another player with sosa’s attitude. Let’s all let rick play all the mind games he wants with russ, if this is what the outcome is.
by BirdsWithTeeth! on Jan 4, 2012 1:15 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Damn Peyton and Chane, where the hell you been?
Gorgui’s talkin’ real reckless, STUNTMAN
When did Ware score?
Box score says he had 2 points. Can’t find it in the play by play and I don’t remember it.
err on his incredible, scary air ware flying finger roll.
Def 2ND half. I… think.
by Justin Gingey Smith on Jan 3, 2012 11:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I didnt get to watch the game
Did WB play at all. I know he suited up for the UK game so just curious if he got any minutes.
I know he may not end up being a star this year but I would love to at least get a reliable backup.
"Winning gets you where you want to go"
-CS5-
At least they weren't at the Yum.
"I am willing to donate to the charity that is working on the prevention of whatever the hell Dick Vitale has." - noobmaster
not gonna lie Rick,
I really wanted a W for those boys, but I also wanted to win so we could constantly play your song throughout the year. Now I feel like we’ll have to wait two years… I’m sure the boys at cbs will still hate.
by Justin Gingey Smith on Jan 4, 2012 12:18 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
continuing our perfect record when scoring 60+ and holding our opponents below 60
"I am willing to donate to the charity that is working on the prevention of whatever the hell Dick Vitale has." - noobmaster
Favorite Lineup so far
Or at least til Peyton and Chane figure it out and we play a few low quality teams.
1. Ware
2. Russ
3. King
4. Rock
5. Dieng
Ware and Russ could be TOUGH to stop. Especially if we’re kicking out to Kyle or dishing to Dieng if the finger rolls and floaters aren’t there.
Aww, finger rolls just made me think of Chicken… #BCTTB
ALL HAIL
by Cardinal_Pride on Jan 4, 2012 1:43 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I am PUMPED up about, and LOVE this team...
Other than that weird little stretch prior to the Kentucky game, its defense has been outstanding. Our defense the past two games has been phenomenal. I’ve been watching basketball for 20 seasons now, and there is nothing more satisfying than watching your team completely lockdown the opponent. (And nothing worse, probably, than feeling helpless defensively). At one point in tonight’s game, St. John’s missed 25 of 26 shots. The Red Storm finished 18 of 64 for the game.
The Kentucky game confirmed what I believed all along about this team: the sky’s the limit. After re-watching that game, it was an absolute defensive clinic, hampered by a royal screw-job by the officials. When Dieng is in the game, he protects the rim like few I’ve seen in quite some time. He seriously seems to get better with every possession.
The offense will come. Buckles is still getting back into shape, Siva will eventually return to Siva, Russ Smith can score from anywhere, Swopshire is a scrapper on the offensive boards, Chane will be playing like a sophomore come March and Chris Smith and Kuric can stroke it. Ware will only improve, and I do believe Blackshear will bring something offensively, even if it’s in small doses. You don’t put up the kind of grotesque numbers Wayne did in high school without an innate ability to get the ball in the basket (not to mention his rebounding numbers in high school, either, which were awesome).
I love this team like last season’s team. We’re more than halfway to last season’s win total already. GO CARDS!!
by FrankensteinsJacket on Jan 4, 2012 2:45 AM EST reply actions
I love me some Russ
Bottom line is without Russ, Ricky P would be feeling a hell of a lot more heat right now than without him and its fair to say we would have at least 2-3 more losses and possibly out of the top 25. I love the kid and how he plays. He’s the only kid we got that get his own shot and finish right now. IMO i think Siva’s problem is Russ Smith. Last yr Siva was the man and now its clear Russ is and there young kids so jealousy could be playing a factor in his play. Russ comes in lighting up the stat sheet every night ( wish he was on my NBA fantasy roster) and Siva’s only stat right now is how fast he can get 2 fouls in the 1st half. GO CARDS!
I have wondered if there might not be just a touch of jealousy in Siva also.
Remember that last year they tried to make Russ the back up point guard, Siva’s understudy so to speak. And now he is the leading scorer and getting tons of rebounds and steals. Continuing the theatre reference, imagine how a leading man might feel if his understudy suddenly was the headliner. Might be just a twinge of jealousy. Could also explain why Peyton might be feeling a little down on himself. Many have said he looks like something else is going on in his head. Could it be this?
One more thing, a few games ago, in a post game presser, Siva said that “Russ Smith was saving us……” . I thought it odd that he would use Russ’ first and last name. Teammates are generally much closer than that and far less formal. Struck me as an odd way to put it. Again, could be nothing but just struck me funny.
by Carolina Cardinal on Jan 4, 2012 9:19 AM EST up reply actions
You're on to something I'd say
He’s at least frustrated thats for sure. Imagine working so hard at your game and having huge expectations and then go into a slump. Meanwhilethe guy who was being conditioned to be your sub is running around just throwing stuff up and it’s going in, and it looks almost effortless at times (obviously that’s not the case but sometimes it does appear that way and I’m sure thats frustrating after you’ve worked your tail off, and I’m not saying that Russ hasn’t)
Agree and probably jealousy is the wrong word, maybe it's just a bit deflating for Peyton to be performing like this compared to Russ.
And it’s not just scoring. Last night Russ led the team in scoring AND assists AND steals. And compared to Siva, Russ had 17 points, Siva had 7. Russ led the team in steals with 4 (Siva had 1). Russ led the team in assists with 7 (Siva had 4). And assists were something Peyton ALWAYS owned.
And the game before (UK) he led the team in scoring (30 vs 8 for Siva), tied for lead in rebounds with 5 (Siva had 2), tied for lead in steals with 3 (Siva had 1), led the team in FG% with 50% (Siva shot 15%), led the team in 3Pt FG% with 37.5% (Siva was 0% at 0 for 4). And he did this with 2 fewer minutes than Peyton (27 vs 29).
When you look at these numbers, it is not hard to envision Peyton feeling more than a little deflated about his performances, especially related to his “understudy”.
by Carolina Cardinal on Jan 4, 2012 9:52 AM EST up reply actions
exactly
These are all great points. Also you gotta go back and look at every magazine article for preseason CBB. We had the high preranking and guess who’s picture was almost always sitting next to our name? ‘Siva’ He def might have put to much pressure on himself going into this year because every analyst said he was our only player in the top 100.
by itsALLintheCARDS on Jan 4, 2012 10:09 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Russ isn't getting ANY rebounds
Rick says so.
Was it you who said this before, or someone else.
Peyton is truly the kindest, most humble player in the game, and while I KNOW he is really down on himself and unhappy with his performance, he isn’t mad/jealous of Russ. He is being 100% genuine and supportive of Russ.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Jan 4, 2012 12:19 PM EST up reply actions
It continues to concern me that we can't hit a decent % on 3's, when we have an
undeveloped inside game too.
Thus the sputtering O and Russ needing to go one-on-one a lot.
Gorgui is improving hourly, but Behanan seems stuck in Samardo-land on missed putbacks. And Rock and Jared are more bit players at this point.
Anyone with eyes can see the ball is not moving as fast as last year, so the other team is closing out on us better.
When we do get open, we still are not putting it down the way we should inside or out.
I love Russ, and frankly without him , we’d have 3 more losses probably. But we need more cylinders clicking all around
I pray it will come with time, as the players continue to improve…
5 for 8 on 3 pointers in the second half. Much better than 4 for 14 in the first half.
A glimmer maybe?
Stout Out!
I hope the coaching staff works with Chane on taking offensive rebounds DIRECTLY to the hoop and not bringing the ball down, and then pump faking before the shot. This gives the opponents time to defend which seems to bother him A LOT.
by Carolina Cardinal on Jan 4, 2012 9:21 AM EST up reply actions
We'll be better in a week. And, better again the next week.
And, so on. The one thing we can be certain will happen, this TEAM will continue to get better.
Out here we see the same deficiencies that the Coaches are seeing, and they will work to correct them. By season’s end it will be hard to keep us under 80 pts/gm.
God I hope so. This team has the potential to be very good.
Not one and done guys but deep with very good players. If they can just get it together, this could be a very good year.
by Carolina Cardinal on Jan 4, 2012 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
I do worry that we don't seem to be able to shoot a decent percent form 3pt or otherwise. Don't understand that.
by Carolina Cardinal on Jan 4, 2012 10:20 AM EST up reply actions
I think our lack of 3 point shooting
is directly related to Siva’s struggles guiding this offense. They hit 3’s because he drives to the basket, drawing defenders, and then dishes the ball out for uncontested 3’s.
Since he hasn’t been doing that this year, the deep-ball guys have had to adjust to creating their own shots, which they aren’t as good at. They are forcing shots, or taking contested shots, and their 3 point percentage has taken a big hit because of it.
Once Siva gets his head back in the game and starts driving and dishing better, the 3 pt % will go up, I’m sure.
by regis villebin on Jan 4, 2012 10:41 AM EST up reply actions
Agree. I think Ware and Russ did a good job of that last night. 3pt shooting improved as a result.
We missed some wide open threes that were set up by those two guys, too. Shot’em better in second half. Encourgaging.
Stout Out!
def agree
Also, we our highest % from 3 when there’s an offensive board then dish back out. When everyone keeps getting better with rebounding watch out for more 2nd opportunities from the 3 ball
by itsALLintheCARDS on Jan 4, 2012 11:49 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Oh,
And, I would find more ways to get the ball to Behanan, Swop and Buckles facing the basket. All three have shown that they can put the ball on the floor and drive. Spread Kuric’s defender, isolate Dieng’s counterpart and let our 4’s take their man to the hole. They can all score/get fouled, or pass to an open Dieng/Kuric/unknown guard who can shoot if an additional defender drops down to help.
2 thoughts
1) I can’t deal with Siva not playing well. I’ll defend him until the day I die- Siva is the best player on this team. He’ll start playing like it.
2) You can’t take anything Pitino says at face value. It’s all weird motivation-type stuff. It isn’t my style, but it seems to work for him. One thing about Pitino teams is that they ALWAYS play hard. Even the idiots he’s had from time to time play hard. Hell, Brandon Bender probably played hard before he slapped that stripper and got kicked off the team.
by johnnyjoejohnson on Jan 4, 2012 10:34 AM EST reply actions
I'll need proof on the Bender statement.
by Carolina Cardinal on Jan 4, 2012 10:54 AM EST up reply actions
The part about playing hard or slapping the stripper?
Although both were made up, one seems more in character than the other.
by johnnyjoejohnson on Jan 5, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
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