Syracuse Breaks Hearts In Louisville With 52-51 Victory
by Mike Rutherford on Feb 13, 2012 10:09 PM EST
in Basketball
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PrintThe easy thing to do, I suppose, is to brush this one aside, say "we lost to the No. 2 team in the country by a single point," and move on. I'm not willing to do that, because the fact of the matter is that this game - which would have been a huge victory in a number of regards - was absolutely there for the taking.
Syracuse did not play well. The Orange made just 1-of-29 shots from outside of the paint, Kris Joseph was hampered by foul trouble and they attempted ten less free-throws than we did.
I will never understand, nor will the rest of the world it appears, why we never flashed someone into the middle of the zone who is capable of making a ten-foot jump shot or a simple pass to the wing. We did the exact same thing with Kuric in the second half of last year's game (a move which Pitino credited Richard with making, even though it had happened earlier in the season against another zone), and Kyle thrived. It just blows my mind that with Kuric and Chris Smith getting nothing on the wings and corners and Gorgui Dieng consistently missing jumpers or throwing the ball away that no change was made.
When Louisville wasn't scoring in transition or off of missed shots, they weren't scoring at all. The Cards opted to slow things down and try to get buckets out of their halfcourt offense after securing a 51-46 lead with two and-a-half minutes to play, and the result was that they didn't score another point.
The other obvious issue is free-throw shooting. There's not an insightful point to be made here. Everyone knows 12-of-21 isn't going to cut it against one of the best teams in the country. It's been a constant problem in Louisville's poor performances this season, and one that seems to be at least partially the product of a lack of focus.
The officials were awful, yes, but if we're being honest, the benefit f the whistle was slightly on U of L's side Monday night. The atrociousness of the Gorgui and-1 call obviously stands out, but I don't think any of us can sit here and make a genuine claim that the referees cost us this game. Or at least none of us should, because they didn't.
Peyton's third foul was inexcusable. I don't understand why we wait until just after play restarts to send someone to the scorer's table to replace the guy in foul trouble, but that isn't an excuse. He knows he's got two, he knows how valuable he is to this team, and he still makes the conscious decision to take a wild slap at a penetrating guard and ends up drilling him in the arm. That changed everything.
I also don't get not playing Wayne more. He played 20 minutes and was on the floor for the key second half stretch against West Virginia, but then doesn't play after halftime two days later. I really, really think that if he gets a good pass from Siva he buries his first shot. And even with the pass at his ankles, the shot was on line and he had a confident stroke. It just seems to be like he could have helped give some life to a halfcourt offense that consisted largely of our three perimeter players taking one dribble before making simple passes to one another.
I'm upset about the way things went tonight, but by no means am I pessimistic about this team's outlook going forward. There are things that happened Monday that should be corrected (you can't get beat down the floor, Gorgui), and I'm confident they will. There are no moral victories at this point in the season, but this wasn't anything like the 31-point loss to Providence or even the double OT loss to Notre Dame. It's extremely disappointing because it could have been won in so many ways, but by no means does is it an example of this team not being "legitimate" or incapable of playing with the better teams in the country.
This hurts because there were significant NCAA and Big East Tournament implications inherent and because there was a lot of emotion involved, but better now than March. This doesn't have to be a loss that completely halts - or, God forbid, turns around - Louisville's forward momentum. In a perfect world, it's the combination of motivation and a learning tool that sparks an even more significant upward trend.
We'll let this one marinate for now. DePaul Day II on Saturday. Should be another good time.
Sleep well, Valentines.
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Hit pretty much every feeling I had.
I was baffled that we didn’t get many looks from 3. By no means are we in trouble for the season, this is more of a “what might have been” moment.
by Remote Cardinal on Feb 13, 2012 10:18 PM EST reply actions
"You are not your job, you're not how much money you have in the bank. You are not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You are not your fucking khakis. You are all singing, all dancing crap of the world."
I have never seen that show
now Im going to have to start watching it because that made me LOL
"You are not your job, you're not how much money you have in the bank. You are not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You are not your fucking khakis. You are all singing, all dancing crap of the world."
by rockchickpeg on Feb 13, 2012 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
Like I said...
No marquee win caps us at a five seed, probably a six. A five obviously has a twelve-5 curse and goes 12-4-1-2 if everything goes correctly for everyone else. We can move up to a four if
1) We win at Syracuse
This puts us in discussion because we show that we can beat great teams. Probably won’t boost is up that high though.
2) We win the BET.
This would absolutely make us a four if we take care of business in the next three games. This means we beat a great team, probably two, and we get a little bit of a real resume. If we do that AND beat SU, we could go all UCONN and get a 3.
This is basically our status. Unless we win every game from here on out, we will get a 4-6 seed.
Remember the Beef Bowl!
by HorsePig55 on Feb 13, 2012 10:22 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Big East Tournament will be more important for seeding
than it has been since we joined the conference.
by Mike Rutherford on Feb 13, 2012 10:24 PM EST up reply actions
Absolutely. The teams we have played have completely screwed our SOS.
WVU should have been a top 25 win, Vandy was supposed to be a top 15 win and do was Memphis. Pitt was supposed to be top 20. We’ve had awful luck, not to mention that we squandered the SU and Gtown games.
I would say a single-bye first round exit gets a six.
A double bye would give us a five just because we were a top 4 Big East team.
Win a game either way and stay a five.
Win a semifinal game (we’d be playing Georgetown or Syracuse Notre Dame, or Marquette) and get a four if its someone good.
Win the championship and have a great chance at a 3
Remember the Beef Bowl!
by HorsePig55 on Feb 13, 2012 10:30 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Yep, but unless we get a shot at Syracuse, Marquette, or G-town in the BE tournament and win...... we'll be in the exact position we're in now.
With no wins over a team considered to be a 1-4 seed in the tournament. Which definitely puts us on a 5-6 line as long as we don’t lose one we’re supposed to win down the stretch. Not a good position to be in, but we’ve been better with our backs against the wall this year
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by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Feb 13, 2012 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
Have to say I'm pretty disappointed
Saw more than a few Cuse fans in the student section tonight, including a guy in my row. They were supposed to fix the student ticket policy this year, but they didn’t do much more than pay us lip service. They’re still letting non-students into our section without much care. Pretty terrible.
Biggest stat of the night for me (besides the 9 missed free throws) is 16 Louisville turnovers versus 8 for Syracuse. For a team whose offense relies on the transition game, we sure ended up on the wrong end of the TO column.
It was a heartbreaker, sure.
But what it shows is that the Cards CAN play with the best teams in the country. If Syracuse “did not play well,” surely that is at least in part a tribute to U of L’s defense. I’m proud of the team.
On a positive note, I thought Bullet played some solid minutes after Russ decided to pass the ball three times to Syracuse down low.
I wish Coach would finally get the message; when Russ said he wasn’t a point guard, he was serious. Blackshear should have been given a shot to run the offense in the first half and/or beginning of the second IMO. I am dying to see this guy dribble drive consistently. I think it’s going to be special.
Bullet stalled the offense. We just worked the ball around the perimeter and hoped to make a shot w the clock running down.
Remember the Beef Bowl!
by HorsePig55 on Feb 13, 2012 10:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I said solid minutes, not perfect ones. Russ-10 minutes, 1 assist, 4 turnovers Justice-9 minutes 1 assist, 0 turnovers
What’d you expect? He rarely plays. He certainly helped us not get steamrolled and played yes, conservatively, but intelligently until Siva got back in the game.
by David Lyons on Feb 13, 2012 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
He also did a good job entering the ball into the high post of the zone, something Russ wasn't doing.
Before they started backing off Gorgui, he was able to find Chane a couple of times (I think) for layups. And we had to attack the middle of that zone, but it should have been someone else catching the pass.
Anyway, Bullet did a solid job in his limited minutes.
by cardsinindy2010 on Feb 13, 2012 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
He certainly did.
He got that ball inside the zone. He does not pass to people’s feet.
2-3
Anybody who plays basketball knows the key to beating the 2-3 zone is getting the ball in the middle, when bullet was in the game he got it to dieng then it opened the baseline for Behanan. Once Dieng couldnt hit a shot they stopped putting pressure on him. He should of had just about anyone else go to the middle of the zone to make Syracuse’s zone put pressure back in the middle to open up the baseline and corner threes
I didn't. I think he wasted time and made NOTHING happen.
I don’t hate him, but he does nothing for me, or the basketball game.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Feb 13, 2012 10:45 PM EST up reply actions
GCA, it wasn't, at that point, about what he MADE happen, but what he didn't....which was turnovers.
In about two minutes, Russ forced three passes down low to nobody. I consider that a bigger waste of time and didn’t nothing for the team either. He was simply being used as filler until Siva came back and he accomplished that. Every player has a role. His is not to come in and save the day. Although I wish he would have.
by David Lyons on Feb 13, 2012 10:49 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I still can't believe Rick didn't call time out. I mean,... I know that's his thing and all, so I can believe that he didn't call time out.......
But it was pretty obvious that the ball was just being passed back and forth and no one was attacking the Zone. When Siva finally did attack it, it was late in the clock, he was panicked, and made a bad decision.
Why not call time and regroup? Why not hit the front end of those three 1-1s? or 2 more of the free throws that went begging? Why not do any number of things differently?
IDK,….. I’m not a HOF coach but,….. for every armchair critique that everyone can levy, we still only lost by 1 point. For every mistake that can be pointed to, if we make 2-3 more FTs that’s a different outcome.
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by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Feb 13, 2012 10:46 PM EST reply actions
I see the argument for and against the time out there
paradoxically, there was too much time to not call a time out. With 5-10 seconds, I like to see my team attack before the defense gets set. but, with 20-30 seconds, it would make sense to call a time out and draw up a play.
But, what are the chances the play would have gone differently? Pitino’s go to play for the last 2 seasons has been the Siva-drive-into-the-lane-and-make-something-happen-play, which is only marginally better than the sosa-try-to-drive-into-the-lane-and-then-shoot-a-40-foot-3-pointer-as-time-expires. For as great of a coach as pitino is, his play calling at the end of games is questionnable.
by johnnyjoejohnson on Feb 14, 2012 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
I read Eric Crawford's break down of the last play. It wasn't nearly as bad as I, or he, thought it was initially.
However,… just like he said, if you call time out there you can tell Siva to look for Kyle, and tell Kyle to swing it to Chris if it’s not open.
It was a good play, with two good options, Gorgui rolling and Kyle in the Korner, but it just seemed rushed and disjointed. IDK, like I said,….. not a HOF coach but it didn’t make sense to me that you don’t regroup there.
Like you said JJJ, if you get the ball over 1/2 court with 10-15 seconds left then ok,… go! But with that much time, to just swing it around for 20 seconds before making a move? Didn’t seem like a good idea, and actually played right into what they’re trying to accomplish with their defense,… IMHO
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by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Feb 14, 2012 9:27 AM EST up reply actions
This one stings because it was so winnable, but it's not March yet
We still have a lot to look forward to and a great team to cheer on
Great post that pretty much sums up everything about this game.
Forgot to include, “not flashing someone other than Gorgui to the high post against the zone” in my list of most frustrating things about this game. Chane, Swop, Kyle, Wayne (if he weren’t parked on the bench), just try somebody. And I love Gorgs and want him in the game, but he needed to be in the low post there. He just wasn’t comfortable.
And Peyton’s third foul just mystified me. I was also convinced that he was going to kick it to Kyle in the corner as the last play developed, and I was really shocked that he tried to force it inside. Peyton started this game playing so well.
No reason to think we can’t still make some noise, but Mike is right that this game had huge conference and NCAA seeding implications. If losing to the #2 team in the country by 1 point can ever be a bad loss, it happened tonight.
by cardsinindy2010 on Feb 13, 2012 10:50 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Oh, God in Heaven, ^this, on the first point you made
I can NOT understand why Chane doesn’t flash and Gorgui doesn’t draw the big man to the post, leaving the beast going one on one. No contest. And, of course, the added bonus of drawing a crowd since Melo can’t leave Gorgui and two people would be rushing Chane. Wing shot.
by David Lyons on Feb 13, 2012 11:01 PM EST up reply actions
I'm so angry!!! We went backwards tonight:
1. Silly fouls.
2. Scared to take shots
3. No killer instinct
4. Failure to make the free throw line jumper.
5. No fast break even when it was there.
6. terrible turnovers at the worst possible times
by gbpackers94 on Feb 13, 2012 10:59 PM EST up reply actions
7. Free throws.
If we hit out free throws, we win this game easily.
"I am willing to donate to the charity that is working on the prevention of whatever the hell Dick Vitale has." - noobmaster
*OUR free throws
"I am willing to donate to the charity that is working on the prevention of whatever the hell Dick Vitale has." - noobmaster
Stupid phone
3rd game we have lost at the foul line. And I fear there will be more.
by cbcard on Feb 14, 2012 3:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Oh, God in heaven, ^this, on the first paragraph.
Can NOT understand why Chane doesn’t flash more with Gorgiu breaking to the post, drawing out the big man. One on one with the beast = no contest.
Siva needs to work on his basketball IQ and quit getting so deep in the paint before making a decision. He had KK wide open in the corner and should of given the rock up earlier. All in all, not a bad game against the #2 team in the country… just a couple of stupid things that need work, like FT shooting. GO CARDS!
Yes, and who'd thunk it that we'd be bitching so badly about a one point loss to the number two team in the country after getting pounded by Provendence?
Hell, after that game, I was praying we’d just win against Depaul.
by David Lyons on Feb 13, 2012 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
Kyle was always being faux wide open.
You thought he was, but he was secretly trying to pretend he wasn’t open. Like barely peeping eye contact: Don’t give it to me, I look open but I don’t feel like it right now.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Feb 13, 2012 11:40 PM EST up reply actions
I saw you holding your sign.
Nice work tonight. If you could, might you mention to Peyton about driving the lane? You know, just work it in to casual conversation. “Man…. class, homework, and stuff… Oh, hey. Maybe try not to be so reckless in the lane. What’s that? I’d love to grab some pizza. Maybe we can watch game film and discuss? Whatevs.”
ALL HAIL
by Cardinal_Pride on Feb 13, 2012 11:44 PM EST up reply actions
You think Peyton speaks to me? You think that's how our relationship works?
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Feb 14, 2012 12:22 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You admire from afar?
Gonna have to make a move, GCA. He’s only here for one more year. Plus, if you team up with King’s lady…. espn cutaway shots galore.
ALL HAIL
by Cardinal_Pride on Feb 14, 2012 12:47 AM EST up reply actions
Let's noit forget that was either the #1 or #2 defensive team in the country.
Also, It’s undisputable JB and SU had enough of Cuse Killer Kuric, and were intent on shutting him down from the tip to the buzzer. If there was any odd eye contact avoidance, it was KK trying not to be noticed by SU.
I see him rebounding but bad game.
CS5 can’t do EVERYTHING
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Feb 14, 2012 8:59 AM EST up reply actions
They played great free throw defense
Or did we just suck?
by cbcard on Feb 14, 2012 3:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Must be 100 JV coaches across Kentucky ...
… who would have figured out by halftime that all they needed to do was flash the team’s best shooter into the lane to drill one uncontested jumper after another and burn that Syracuse zone to a crisp. But somehow, the idea escaped our high-power and highly paid bench, while Wayne Blackshear – who is rumored to be a pretty decent shot – sat there and watched.
Normally I don't lay into Pitino, but how do you not make that adjustment?
Richard suggested it last time, apparently. Where you at, Richard?!
ALL HAIL
by Cardinal_Pride on Feb 13, 2012 11:39 PM EST up reply actions
Random question
You guys played Uconn last week. During rivalry week. Guess I didnt realize you two were considered rivals. Not sure who I would consider your rival you tell me.. Just Uconn seemed odd to me. I feel like Cuse is more your rival then them
Hard to say, but there are definitely historical rivalries with Cincy and Marquette
In the last years of C-USA, especially Marquette.
by cardsinindy2010 on Feb 13, 2012 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
ESPN has been trying to convince everyone UConn is our big rival for years.
“Louisville vs UConn” gets a lot better ratings on Rivalry Week than “Louisville vs Cincinnati”.
by Kevin Spradlin on Feb 13, 2012 11:27 PM EST up reply actions
gorgs gets that pass and we win...
he was off tonight…as was the king. would say that botched play at the rim was more gorg’s sluggishness than peyton’s carelessness. watch the replays. so close. we’ll get ’em at their place.
No one has mentioned how badly we defended the baseline cuts in the second half.
They had about 4 dunks.
I’ll say it again about Peyton, have some kind of idea of what you’re going to do when you drive head-down into the lane. Twice it happened in the last 2 or so minutes and it contributed to costing us the game.
Another contribution to costing us the game (that has been mentioned): Gorgui at the high post. Make the damn adjustment, coach P. And Jesus, Gorgui. instead of tossing that weak pass, throw the ball at the rim, or treat it like a free throw. They aren’t stepping out, so you don’t even have to jump. Or at least try to drive and kick (not sure that’s in his repertoire).
Where was Wayne? He played pretty well Saturday. Give him some more clock. Kyle wasn’t on.
Bullet gave solid minutes, as mentioned above. I’ve been saying for a long time that Bullet is fully capable of managing the floor. He’s not a slasher, but he doesn’t toss the ball to the other team or drive blindly into the lane without a plan. He can also hit the open jumper. Please don’t take this as “play Bullet over Siva.”
I’m not sure that putting Angel in for the last shot was a great decision. Dude’s been sitting on the bench for 39 minutes and 58.9 seconds. He’s a freshman, sits that long and is expected to hit the game winner against the #2 team in the nation? Should have had Kuric, Smith, Smith, Blackshear, and Dieng on the floor in my opinion. I love Angel and he’s gonna be great, but that wasn’t his spot.
My God, the free throws. Amirite, Carolina Cardinal?
We lacked the killer instinct tonight. When we went up 5 toward the end, it was time to step on their throats, but we let it slip away. This was a learning experience. We know we can play with anyone now. Hopefully these guys won’t lose the confidence they gained after shredding UConn. Not sure why, but I’m going to re-watch this game.
I apologize for the long post. Probably should have been a FanPost, but none of you would have read it. Ha
GO CARDS
ALL HAIL
by Cardinal_Pride on Feb 13, 2012 11:37 PM EST reply actions
Heck, I didn't read the comment!
"I am willing to donate to the charity that is working on the prevention of whatever the hell Dick Vitale has." - noobmaster
I said that in another thread. But that was THE THE THE reason we lost.
They just did that over and over and got dunk after dunk.
Remember the Beef Bowl!
Gorgui's stats weren't that bad...
9 points, 5-6 on FTs, 10 boards, 3 assists, 4 blocks…but then 2 for 9 from the field and 5 TOs =/. I think if he one or two of those jumpers, he plays a completely different game.
Siva is Killing Us & Gorgui has to hit some 12 footers
Boy oh Boy you are right….Siva has to stop driving the lane with no real idea what the F**K he is going to do with the ball…..he does this 4 or 5 times a game….and it does not work 80% of the time.
The whole bar knew Siva was going to try the Vandy Miracle again….& the whole bar was beging for him to pass it off before the drive.
Gorgui has to hit some 12 footers….IF they are not going to guard you from 10-12 feet…you must hit that shot.
by atdasa on Feb 13, 2012 11:39 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Meh, on the Gorgui 12 footers...not what he's out there for. Better to use him as a decoy out on the post,
like I mentioned earlier for Chane when they leave the middle open. Chane is quickly understanding screw the jumper, drive and dunk. When they collapse, throw it to Smith or Kuric. And I have to mention this about Siva’s propensity for the drive first attitude. No one complains when he does it successfully 7 out of 10 times. I, personally, am excited to have the old Siva, 100 percent and running like a freaking deer.
An adjustment should have been made when they left Gorgui open, plain and simple. Boeheim admitted that was the game plan all along after the game. If we as fans noticed it, surely Coach should have and reacted.
by David Lyons on Feb 13, 2012 11:52 PM EST up reply actions
It seems like Gorgui can usually hit them, though. Or at least he has been recently.
I just can’t understand why people seem to always place all the blame on the players. You’re right, Pitino should’ve made an adjustment after it became obvious that Gorgs wasn’t able to handle the ball in the middle of the zone. It’s true that Pitino can’t hit free throws for them, but the least he can do is put them in position to make some plays.
IMO, this is on pitino
I have no doubt that pitino drew up that “play.” By all accounts, siva is coachable. If pitino doesn’t want him trying the vandy miracle, siva doesn’t try the vandy miracle. Simple as that.
by johnnyjoejohnson on Feb 14, 2012 9:03 AM EST up reply actions
NO TIMEOUT
Why in the hell Coach Pitino does not call a timeout when we get the ball back at the end of the game ? Can you not set up a play ? Holding the ball really worked well.
dont care what anyone says
refs were awful. but if we play like that we dont even see the sweet 16, hate to be that guy, here comes the HATE (THE TRUTH HURTS) I SWEAR I HOPE IM WRONG
by LouisvilleSklardinalFAN02 on Feb 14, 2012 12:43 AM EST reply actions
disagree
we lost by a point to the No. 2 team in the country. Defense was outstanding. Once Wayne learns the defense, we’ll be sitting pretty.
by FrankensteinsJacket on Feb 14, 2012 12:50 AM EST up reply actions
Agree
We really didn’t even play bad. People just missed shots. Sometimes that happens. When you play as hard as they did on defense, all you need to do is hit 40% and the game is easily won. Syracuse is an enormous talent and that zone looked as good this year as it ever has. We will be fine as long as we play as hard and with as much defensive intensity as we did Monday.
by RedHeadfortheRedBirds on Feb 14, 2012 9:06 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
if we shoot 12-21 on FTs, we don't see the sweet 16. I don't think anyone disagrees with that
If we turn it over 8-10 more times than the other team, we don’t see the sweet 16.
But, if we hold the other teams to 1-19 from outside the paint, I’m betting we see the 16 or beyond. All season = good defense/bad offense.
by johnnyjoejohnson on Feb 14, 2012 9:05 AM EST up reply actions
Marra, 12 footer, Etc.
Quick Thoughts:
1. This is a game where we obviously could’ve used Marra. His passing, his height, his busting the zone with some treys. It is what it is. Injuries suck. For those who forget about Marra’s stroke and the break-out junior season that was to be (ala Kuric), watch the link I provided.
2. Agree Kuric or even Swop should have been flashing to the middle (Kuric really) instead of Dieng after the Orange quit guarding Dieng.
3. Going to Bullet as a back-up to Siva instead of Russ was a good move by CRP (in this game anyway).
4. Giving it to Siva at the end of regulation with the game on the line worked last season, but hasn’t been working this season as well. Time for a new strategy. In tonight’s situation, I would have gone radical and spread the floor with shooters, even putting Wayne or Angel in there and tried to go for a three to win it (when we had it with plenty of time left). We were OFFENSIVE rebounding at ease, and a three from a good shooter would have probably been a good bet, especially since we were bricking our free throws. Another option in the future if the game on the line is give it to Russ. At least he’ll probably get a shot off.
5. I have no problem not playing Wayne. I don’t think he is defensively ready to go against the Cuse tonight. I expect him to have our defense down when we play at there place, though.
…Final Thoughts: Not upset about the loss at all. Our defense was awesome. Showed we can play with anybody. Obviously I would love a double-bye in the Big East Tourney, but I would rather have a top 4 seed in the NCAA. This team is moving in the right direction.
by FrankensteinsJacket on Feb 14, 2012 12:45 AM EST reply actions
About Gorgui:
Why doesn’t he try banking those 12 footers in? That would be easier to make IMO
by Cards & Tops 4 Life on Feb 14, 2012 12:46 AM EST reply actions
When I Went
to Rick Pitino’s basketball camp as a kid, he said man’s best friend is the backboard. Bank that shi$ Gorgui. :D
by FrankensteinsJacket on Feb 14, 2012 12:48 AM EST up reply actions
You have to knopw what point shaving is before you can do it
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by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Feb 14, 2012 9:30 AM EST up reply actions
I swear you read my mind...
Point shaving was the first thing I said after Siva got his third foul. I mean, he just got whistled for his second foul moments before, and he does the saddest reach in foul on the very next play. I don’t see how a junior makes that mental error and it made me wonder. Not having Siva in for the balance of the first half plus the start of the second half, plus his WTF pass at the very end just seemed a little fishy. Do I really think this? No, but I will say that the concept entered my mind the moment I saw the reach in foul…
Take off the tin foil hat...
If you’ve watched this team this season, nothing about this game should seem fishy.
by Remote Cardinal on Feb 14, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
Oh jeez..
Come off it already. Siva point shaving?? Have you watched any games this year? He commits the silly foul quite often and has done so in every game. Even the best players make mental errors.
Stupid things like this shouldn’t be posted.
by twistedwedge on Feb 14, 2012 4:18 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Stupid things like 90% of this thread shouldn't be posted.
Not directed at you twisted, but:
Gorgui had an off night – get off him. Could adjustments be made by the coaching staff (e.g. RP)? Yes and probably should have, but hindsight is 20/20. Are any of you making six figures coaching basketball?
Peyton had more than one option in that drive (potentially) and again, hindsight is 20/20, but were any of you in his shoes? It’s easy to armchair quarterback and obviously a little too easy to piss and moan, but we only have the ability to see from different angles than what Peyton saw… Crawford’s article adds different perspective to the play and I think was pretty spot on.
I’m just getting so sick of all the negativity on here. Not saying I haven’t contributed to some of it in the past (this season even), but in all reality, what good does it really do? I’d venture to guess that if anything, it does more harm than good. If anyone reads this and is effected by it, it would be the kids who pour their hearts and souls into the program for next to nothing…
GO! CARDS!
BEAT!
PURDUE!
If you're "shaving points" the surest way to make sure someone wins is to make sure the other team covers the spread when you're the underdog. They did not cover the spread last night
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by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Feb 14, 2012 5:23 PM EST up reply actions
You hit the nail on the head! And im going to have to strongly agree with CHANGO and atdasa , what in the hell goes through siva's mind game after game.
With the drive and jesus kick to nobody? He bloops out on many level. If we are going to win in the tournament, Siva has got to play solid and bloop free.
Shayne Cecil
It's like he has a set notion of what he's going to do before he takes off. Whether it's there or not. Russ has been doing that lately too.
It’s one reason Russ has had so many turnovers lately. He drives into the lane, stops and then looks for someone to pass it to. It no one is open, he tries to force to someone. The old Russ would drive to the hoop for the shot, and pass only if he saw someone open. He got a lot of heat for that but I like that a lot better.
by Carolina Cardinal on Feb 14, 2012 7:07 AM EST up reply actions
Replay is on ESPNU if anyone wants to watch.
about halfway through now.
ALL HAIL
by Cardinal_Pride on Feb 14, 2012 12:51 AM EST reply actions
Pretty good breakdown by Eric Crawford
by cardcorefan on Feb 14, 2012 5:55 AM EST via mobile reply actions
He makes some good points that our offense didn't really stall.
Chane and Chris both got the ball underneath for decent looks, and Siva got a wide open 3-ball, they just couldn’t convert.
In the final play the ball should’ve went to Kuric, but that’s not what lost us the game.
Anyone bashing pitino right now is making themselves look like an idiot. The team was in a position to win. A little more execution would have sealed a W, and those same fools would be singing his praises. Go Cards!
by cardcorefan on Feb 14, 2012 6:03 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
That's a great breakdown
The play actually looks better step-by-step than I thought. Kuric was wide open….but he had been off, and I would take a dunk by gorgs over a long three if I had to choose…however, neither happened.
"As long as we win, I couldn't care less; my average can go down to four points and zero rebounds. As long as we win, I don't care."
- P!K
good analysis there by EC
and agree completely, there’s no need to be bashing anyone. If the Internet’s done anything, it’s made people forget to give credit to the other team sometimes. Sure, it sucks we lost. We had it right there. But there’s also a reason why we didn’t score down the stretch and why Siva’s pass wasn’t executed…Syracuse is long, they’re really good and they’re outstanding defensively. If we had won, we wouldn’t be saying all of the things Syracuse did wrong or could have done. Silly, isn’t it? We lost by one point to the No. 2 team in the land. Showed me we can play with anyone (I kind of knew that already). This game is fickle and will always come down to a bit of luck…and there will always be a team who gets their hearts broken. It’s the nature of the beast that is college basketball. I would have loved to have won, but not at all disappointed in the way we played.
by FrankensteinsJacket on Feb 14, 2012 6:17 AM EST reply actions
Did I miss him or was Kevin Ware not on the bench last night? I sat in the section right behind our bench and I don’t remember seeing him…
If he left does that open a scholarship next year?
I mean I like Ware’s potential and would love for him to stay but it might make things interesting if we have an open spot.
by Rip Roaring Rock on Feb 14, 2012 9:25 AM EST up reply actions
Of course...let the rumors fly
Smh..
by twistedwedge on Feb 14, 2012 4:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
With points at a premium
You can’t have that many more turnovers than your opponent (16-8) and only make 57% of your free throws.
Good defensive effort from both teams and I feel we can go up there and beat them at the Carrier Dome. Strange to only give up one shot outside the paint and lose.
Kuric and the Smiths went a combined 4-23 missing some open looks.
Looking at the box score,... something that was supposed to be a big weakness for them turned into a big weakness for us.
They were supposed to be terrible on the defensive glass, and they were. We got 16 offensive boards. That would be the same number of offensive boards we let them have.
So many ways that we could’ve won that game if 1 thing happens differently
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by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Feb 14, 2012 8:51 AM EST reply actions
HEY CUSE, I'LL GET YOU NEXT TIME...
…if it’s the last thing I dooooooooooooooooooooo!
by charliestrongmancrush.com on Feb 14, 2012 8:56 AM EST reply actions
Sorry guys...
I watched this game.
I avoided watching the previous 6 games.
This one’s on me.
I won’t make that mistake again.
by WattersonWoodsWes on Feb 14, 2012 9:32 AM EST reply actions
Who am I kidding?
I probably will…
sigh
by WattersonWoodsWes on Feb 14, 2012 9:50 AM EST up reply actions
Answers to a Couple Questions
Pitino did not call a time out on the second-to-last possession because all of the players knew which play to run. Calling a TO would have only allowed JB to set up a more thorough D.
Ware didn’t play or go to the game because of a stomach virus.
"So it goes."
by FluffyFluffyDoubleChunk on Feb 14, 2012 9:46 AM EST reply actions
I sort of like the idea of getting a shot attempt sooner on the last possession.
Basically, we were down one so take a shot – use the same play as we did.
If unsuccessful, foul and make them shoot 2 FTs. If they make both, we’re down three and have another chance at tie. If they miss one or both, we have the ball with another chance to win or tie the game.
If successful, play tough defense and make them beat us. As poorly as they shot all game, it’s a reasonable gamble.
Have always been torn on that decision. Given the nature of shooting and defense last night, may have been a good risk.
Stout Out!
Free throws have absolutely killed us in the three home losses this year.
The Cards were 12 for 21 (57.1 percent) at the line Monday night.
They were 10 for 17 (58.8 percent) in a three-point home loss to Georgetown.
They were 17 for 27 (63 percent) in a two-point, double-overtime home loss to Notre Dame.
For all the doom and gloom that hovered for a couple of weeks, and for all the sadness over this opportunity lost,…. for all the complaints about offense and execution,…. for all the Siva bashing,….. and every other negative thing I’ve heard/ seen people say,………..
We’re NINE MOTHER F&*^%’N free throws from being in 2nd place with a legit shot at winning the league in the last game of the year at Syracuse.
Think about that one kids. 9 free throws; and, I’d bet my entire pay check that if we make our free throws and beat G-town/ ND,…. there’s no way we lay an egg like that at Prov which would have put us in 1st place right now if we win last night.
9 free throws,….. 9 free throws…..
We were 13-15 (86%) at WVU over the weekend, WVU was 17-27 (63%)…. tight games are won and lost at the line
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by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Feb 14, 2012 10:05 AM EST reply actions
Completely Agree...
This team HAS to get better at the line; period… Having empty possessions is frustrating from all of the turnovers, but some of those caused by a very good Syracuse defense; but missing 9 free throws is the reason we lost last night.
How many front ends of one-and-one’s did we miss? I think there were at least 3 which results in more potential points lost. If I were to guess, free throws cost us about 6-7 points in a close game (compared to a decent shooting performance). That doesn’t even make it a close game at the end…
Really disappointing loss last night, I hope they bounce back and run the table in the BE
by Lincolncard on Feb 14, 2012 11:26 AM EST up reply actions
Notre Dame
We were 50% in the first OT so just one more make and we win and avoid losing in the second one.
by cbcard on Feb 14, 2012 3:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
We're either GOOD at the foul line or BAD at the foul line. We rarely shoot around our season average.
Our season average is just over 68%. But, we’ve had 9 games at 75% or better and 12 games at 65% or worse. That leaves only 5 games out of 26 that we’ve shot in the 65-75% range.
5 of our 6 losses have had FT shooting below the 65% mark. The other loss – UK – was 66.7%…still below our average.
Stout Out!
The stats I thought would be most important were
holding them to few points in transition and our Offensive Rebounding Percentage.
We had 16 turnovers that allowed lots of points in transition…at least 14. Not good.
However, our offensive rebounding percentage was 50%. That’s really good.
We played good enough to win. We missed 9 FTs. I’m encouraged for the remainder of our schedule
by Remote Cardinal on Feb 14, 2012 10:16 AM EST reply actions
As am I,... but you can't take advantage of their big weakness and then turn it into a negative for yourself.
We grabbed 16 offensive boards but let them get the exact same number. Missed 9fts and still had a shot cause we defended the hell out of them.
9more Fts across 3 games and we’re 11-2 right now with the same number in the loss column as the OrangeMen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aPJYrFLStg
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by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Feb 14, 2012 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
2-3 zone
Cuse concedes one of the highest OR% in D-I hoops this season.
by UL is my hot hot sex on Feb 14, 2012 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
Listening to Joe B and Denny
Denny is giving CRP hell for how things were being ran. Interesting to hear another coaches opinion
"Winning gets you where you want to go"
-CS5-
Like what?
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by Chick-Stratino'sUrDaddy on Feb 14, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
Not calling timeout to setup
Not using Dieng under the basket
Siva not passing to an open Kuric
Its interesting to hear what Denny would have done different. Still doesnt mean the outcome would be different but interesting non the less
"Winning gets you where you want to go"
-CS5-
Can't agree with Denny's comments
The play was fine and if Siva kicked it out to Kyle he is wide open for the three. Maybe that was the play call and in the moment Siva decided to do something else. I agree with Eric Crawford’s break down posted above.
Pretty frustrating loss..
I really liked the way the game started off. We were pressing on defense and they weren’t able to get any shots off. Eventually, the tide turned and it happened to us. How the hell did we allow so many alley oop dunk shots to Syracuse? They must have used that same play 10 times on us and every time the lane was wide open. We contained their three’s, but inside they were killing us.
Stupid, stupid, stupid turnovers. Free throws are garbage, still. Siva rushes entirely too much. Russ Smith didn’t show up to the game at all. Would have definitely liked to see more Wayne in the game.
This one isn't much easier to stomach in the morning.
Still a golden opportunity lost, and still all of the frustrating things identified last night (FTs, no Wayne, not trying someone else in the middle of the zone, the third foul, the last play, Jim Burr, etc.). In the end, Cuse escaped with a win on a night when they couldn’t have shot it any worse. And our quest for a good NCAA seed (and therefore a good chance to make it to the second weekend) just got tougher.
by cardsinindy2010 on Feb 14, 2012 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
past two years have been horrible match-ups. I expect nothing less this year, no matter how we finish out
Although I do demand to WIN the BET.
by GOCARDSATTITUDE on Feb 14, 2012 11:32 AM EST up reply actions
Taking Timeouts Home
I apologize if this has already been mentioned; I’ve not read through all the comments. However, what really aggravated me last night is that Coach P left a timeout on the board at the end of the game. I know this a move that Coach will forever stand by and that players are out there to make plays and win or lose games. I know I probably just need to accept that. Nevertheless, I don’t understand leaving a timeout on the board in these situations when everyone and their mother knows what we’re going to do. I know Coach doesn’t want the defense to get set, but they don’t have to; they already know what we’re going to do. If we’re still in the game after not playing great, call a timeout and give your PG a chance to be successful. I felt like this is what ultimately beat us in the Notre Dame game, all other factors aside.
"call a timeout and give your PG a chance to be successful"
As has been pointed out, PG did have a chance. Cuse-Killer Kuric was wide open. This fact seems to make your post moot.
moot only if
I hadn’t acknowledged the reality that players have to make plays and that they ultimately win and lose games, but I did, e.g. “players are out there to make plays and win or lose games.” I was just expressing my opinion which was strongly based on our home loss to ND; a game that ended in a similar fashion. The fact that a player always has a chance (in theory) could possibly make your post moot. I think a timeout (even if a play was cald in a previous timeout) would have given the team and Peyton the best chance. Hindsight is 20/20, though and afterall, we are on the same team here.
This game was lost at the FT line
Plain and simple. Sink our FTs and we’d all be singing praises instead of complaining. Sure, Peyton made some silly mistakes. Sure, Deing should have shot that jumper a few more times. Sure, (insert name) should have done this or that….
In the end-consistency at the line cost us this one.
by twistedwedge on Feb 14, 2012 4:28 PM EST via mobile reply actions
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