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Quick Hitters:
-He’s heating up…he’s on fire! Jordan Nwora was playing NBA Jam against Boston College on Wednesday night with Danny Ainge getting an up-close look at the action. The ball was on fire and the net was burning up. You already know the stats. He had 37 points and was 7/14 from three. In the first half, he had 21 and the rest of the UofL team had 24 combined. The only forced shots were at the end when he was going for 40. No complaints from me there.
-Before Nwora took over, it was Darius Perry keeping the Cards in the game. Boston College couldn’t miss, and Perry answered a couple of their threes with threes of his own to keep them from getting too much momentum.
-I still have no idea what Darius Perry to expect. In the last three games, he is playing 26.3 minutes and has averages of 12.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 0.3 turnovers per game and is shooting 48.2% from the field. In the three games before that, those numbers are 14.6 minutes, 2.3 points, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 turnovers per game while shooting 22.2% from the field.
-Boston College came into the game shooting 29.8% from three. They made their first three attempts but finished only 7/22 from behind the arc for 31.8%. Quick math will tell you that after those first three, they only shot 4/19 the rest of the way.
-David Johnson had his moments. He looked great and he looked like a freshman. He once again stuffed the stat sheet with six points, eight rebounds, and six assists. But he also had four turnovers, his second most of the season. His two at the end of the first half did not look good. But again, you take the good with the bad with him. He made some incredible passes in this game and of those eight rebounds, five were offensive.
-Fresh Kimble struggled in this one, but I still think the Cards will need him in some big games in February and March. I’m nowhere close to being done with him.
-Ryan McMahon has handled his role change about as well as anyone could. He just makes the most of his limited minutes now. With the game still in reach and the Cards only leading by nine, McMahon drove the lane and found Samuell Williamson in the corner for an open three. On the next possession, McMahon buried a three of his own in transition. Just like that, the lead was 15 and the game was all but over. And you will always see him up and cheering his teammates on from the bench. He stays engaged. You have to appreciate that.
-ACC Network commentator analysis: The play-by-play guy kept saying “foul” and it sounded like “fall”. And the color commentator said that BC was playing pretty good defense. At that point, it was still the first half and Louisville had 40.
-Next up for the Cards is a road game at NC State on Saturday. The Wolfpack are 5-5 in the ACC and coming off of two straight losses to Georgia Tech and North Carolina, which kind of makes me nervous. Are they about to fold or come out fighting for their lives?
-As always, thanks for reading. And Go Cards!
Film Review:
Before Jordan Nwora really got it going, it was Darius Perry keeping the Cards in the game, matching BC threes with a couple of his own. This is confident Darius and we need that one. pic.twitter.com/qIZuQ3Bs1b
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) January 30, 2020
It’s usually Ryan McMahon with this move, but here it’s Nwora. He uses a Malik Williams screen and then uses another one from him to get open for the three. pic.twitter.com/YiFwq0CYYB
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) January 30, 2020
David Johnson. Court vision. That’s all. pic.twitter.com/xVD4rpUyO3
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) January 30, 2020
Enoch does a good job of running the floor and getting deep into the lane to get position right away. When he gets the ball, he takes it right up instead of waiting on the defense to double. pic.twitter.com/BtPeWcDkAL
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) January 30, 2020
I’m the type to see someone score 37 but still call it out when you don’t box out. I have to. It’s too important. pic.twitter.com/QdnnfeJwtp
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) January 30, 2020
See previous tweet... pic.twitter.com/Mct4LOUq3G
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) January 30, 2020
David Johnson with another great pass to the corner for a Sutton three. pic.twitter.com/J7zMPspgJO
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) January 30, 2020
I think Darius misses Fresh open in the corner here. When Sutton cuts to the basket, Fresh’s man helps down and leaves him wide open. Not our best shooter, but I am good with him getting that one if he is that open. pic.twitter.com/RfhWXqQT5X
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) January 30, 2020
Since @CardChronicle tweeted this out, I better include it before he takes my job. Ryan gives just a little screen that frees Nwora up enough to catch and shoot. He doesn’t need a lot of room and McMahon gets it for him. pic.twitter.com/YeXYf6NBZs
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) January 30, 2020
Without knowing their exact zone principles, I think this one is on David Johnson for allowing the ball into the middle. McMahon has the ball handler and there is no reason to double him. Opposite guard should take the middle away. Sutton communicates that he is flashing. pic.twitter.com/ozbE0KIH63
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) January 30, 2020
Game isn’t out of reach yet until this mini-boom fueled by Ryan McMahon. Good drive to draw the defense and find Williamson in the corner. pic.twitter.com/2WzV48I7o4
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) January 30, 2020
Make a big assist and then come down and shoot with confidence to deliver the dagger. pic.twitter.com/0myoJkgqeU
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) January 30, 2020