Thinking long term, which seems apropos since it’s that February turn for the home stretch of the season, there’s a singular vision that haunts. And, no, it’s not Kasean Pryor firing a triple, thereby pushing good fortune during far and away his signature performance of the year. As scary as that open FG attempt from […]
Thinking long term, which seems apropos since it’s that February turn for the home stretch of the season, there’s a singular vision that haunts.
And, no, it’s not Kasean Pryor firing a triple, thereby pushing good fortune during far and away his signature performance of the year. As scary as that open FG attempt from the corner was.
I’m thinking of viewing back-braced J’Vonne Hadley trundling through the tunnel beneath the stands toward the locker room with plenty of time left in the 1st.
Listed as “Probable” before the tilt, he started. Then exited for the duration with a lone rebound on his stat line in three minutes of action.
This is not an inconsequential development, given his importance and that the rest of the Cardinals’ ACC schedule is daunting. Plus a trip to the Lone Star state.
Stagnant in the first half, U of L steadied to prevail 76-65.
It was a blessing that injury-plagued Notre Dame, losers of 7 of 8 coming in, was the opponent.
* * * * *
One of the recent plaints surfacing among Cardinal diehards included the word adjustment.
As in, there didn’t seem to be any during U of L’s recent travails.
Wednesday night, there were apparent strategic adjustments implemented by Pat Kelsey.
Most saliently, full court trapping pressure.
And some half court zone.
More penetration and funneling the ball underneath to the paint. Where the Cards outscored the Irish, 40-22.
When you stumble from the gate, missing 8 of your first 9 shots, surrender a quartet of open treys and fall behind to a foe who can’t even claim mediocrity, change must ensue.
Even with those tweaks, U of L never really grabbed a full measure of the visiting Irish. Not optimal.
That they surrendered the final four points of the 1st, were outpointed 3-11 in the final three minutes of the W, and still prevailed by double digits . . .
. . . against a conference bottom feeder . . .
. . . says give thanks to Naismithius, carpe the victory, and pray that faster starts and better marksmanship from the arc are ahead.
* * * * *
Because winning against upcoming tougher foes shall be exponentially more difficult.
Especially with lineups that include both Zou and Pryor for significant minutes.
As for the Cardinals’ tatted up enigma, he’s the fellow whom Coach gently but definitely threw under the bus on Instagram earlier in the week.
To Kasean’s credit, he responded with maximum effort, hurling himself about such that Louisville’s Greek Madman seemed constrained in comparison.
Pryor’s only misfire in six attempts was that threeball. He snared five boards.
My favorite play though was when he hurled himself for a loose ball along the out of bounds line, side swiping an Irish baller, who immediately speed dialed his insurance guy.
That ND scored a triple on the ensuing inbound is a testament in microcosm to what a comme ci comme ça night it was for the Cards.
That interlude may have been matched by his action after streaking down court with the rock, careening out of control, turning it over, then flying back to the defensive end to secure the Cardinals’ possession after an Irish miss.
* * * * *
Khani Rooths was everywhere again, as on Saturday.
K9 fashioned a dozen dozen.
His zeal again wakened his teammates.
Sanny Fru had blocks on key consecutive possessions late, both leading to scores.
Adrian Wooley was more solid than he’s been of late. 6 and 6.
Mikel Brown has six assists, most after intermission.
Isaac McKneely drilled half his eight threes.
A win is a win is a win.
— c d kaplan
Category: General Sports
