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For the next few weeks leading up to the start of the college basketball season, I hope to do one of these posts each week and just do some film review with an old UofL game. It will obviously be a little different than when I do them in the current season. No one will be looking for tendencies or what the team needs to improve on for future games, so it’s a little lighter version of what I attempt to do during the season. At any rate, hopefully it’s somewhat enjoyable to see some old UofL clips.
First up, UofL vs Tennessee from December 20, 2001.
Quick Hitters
-This was Rick Pitino’s first season at UofL. The Cards entered the game 7-1 and Tennessee was 5-3.
-Starters for Louisville: Reece Gaines, Alhaji Mohammed, Erik Brown, Ellis Myles, Joseph N’Sima.
-So we know how this game ends, but my word, it started out the COMPLETE OPPOSITE. With 15:39 left to play in the first half, UofL was up 3-2 and the teams were a combined 2-16 from the field. It was brutal to watch early on. If I didn’t know how it ended, I may have stopped watching.
-Louisville finished the game 7/31 from three. So yes, that means they were 4/28 before the flurry at the end, which makes it even more incredible.
-Reece Gaines was 2/11 from three before the last two. Shooters shoot.
-After the Bryant Northern three, watch Marcus Haislip for Tennessee. He ends up scoring on the other end and I never noticed this before. He raises his fist in celebration all the way down court, and although Reece went one on five, take a look at who the shot was really over. You can probably guess.
-Two of Louisville’s best players in this game were Carlos Hurt and Brandon Bender. Hurt finished with 10 points and five assists and Bender had six points, six rebounds, two big blocks at the rim, and numerous hustle plays that got the crowd into the game. What could have been.
-Luke Whitehead did not play in this game because his fall had just happened. You know which one I am talking about.
-Nothing like Freedom Hall. Nothing.
Film Review
Leading up to basketball season, I will do some film reviews of old UofL games for @CardChronicle. Thinking one per week with some quick hitters on the site also. Why not start with a little game from 2001?
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) October 23, 2020
Thread... pic.twitter.com/3DkbLtXSOB
There is nothing to break down on this play. But check the time and score. I was just happy to see a bucket and I decided it was worth kicking this off. The start to this game was awful. It gets better. pic.twitter.com/SzxM87gniA
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) October 23, 2020
Brandon Bender making plays. Steal and a dunk, big block at the rim, offensive board and draws a foul. HUSTLE plays from Bender! pic.twitter.com/LqPybt3tDA
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) October 23, 2020
Louisville hits a three, gets a steal, and scores again. Just seemed significant and like it may happen again at some point. Shoutout to Joseph N’Sima. pic.twitter.com/MfNWopuzbX
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) October 23, 2020
Watch Larry O’Bannon at the bottom of your screen. He runs his man into a screen by Ellis Myles and then uses Myles again on a flare screen to get open. pic.twitter.com/HK3ZxxrFXc
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) October 23, 2020
Carlos Hurt had a heck of a game. Starts at the top of the key and uses two screens to get open, one by Myles and one by Bender. Catch and a quick release. pic.twitter.com/ldzbdsWFdt
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) October 23, 2020
More good from Hurt. The double team comes and he makes a decision right away and doesn’t let the double get there. Quick pass to Erik Brown, right where the defender came from. pic.twitter.com/ZuS2G2odWi
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) October 23, 2020
Watch Larry O’Bannon at the top near the bench. Before he uses the first screen, he jabs with his left leg to set his man up. Then cuts back to use the screen and that gets him open to get the ball. Good use of another screen for an open jumper. First step was big. @LarryOBannon pic.twitter.com/ruGB5nJLQp
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) October 23, 2020
Carlos Hurt does a good job of moving off of the ball. He uses a screen twice from N’Sima to get open in attack mode. pic.twitter.com/TV9ft4cKe4
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) October 23, 2020
I wanted to say just enjoy this, and you still should. But watch Haislip after he scores. The full court fist pump and then of all five guys that Reece takes on, who got the three hit on them? Amazing moment in UofL basketball history here. Cards were 4/28 from three before this. pic.twitter.com/9Up639gqn4
— Justin Renck (@JustinRenck) October 23, 2020