There have been some scintillating encounters among the now 35 times Louisville and Syracuse have met. That harbinger of a championship on the horizon in January of ’86. When the alleged juggernaut Orange led by Pearl Washington and Rony Seikaly were ranked #4 in the land but shuffled out of an electric Freedom Hall on […]
There have been some scintillating encounters among the now 35 times Louisville and Syracuse have met.
That harbinger of a championship on the horizon in January of ’86. When the alleged juggernaut Orange led by Pearl Washington and Rony Seikaly were ranked #4 in the land but shuffled out of an electric Freedom Hall on the short end of a 83-73 whipping.
Of course, there’s the etched in lore Cards dunkathon W in their finale at the Hall in ’10. 78-68. When Boeheim’s Army came in ranked #1 and met Kyle Kuric.
So too that comeback from a gazillion down for a 78-61 beatdown in the ’13 Big East tourney, on the way to the school’s third natty.
Boffo Basketball those battles were.
Tuesday night, not so much.
But, in the context of a season slip sliding away, significant.
Thanks to a double digit surge early on in the 1st, U of L was able to wheeze more than comfortable, but keep the visitors at bay after intermission.
Cards 77, Orange 62.
It provided relief from the recent disarray, if not indicating a major turn.
The Cardinals had 7 shots blocked. Were outscored in the paint by a dozen. Outdueled 15-5 in second chance points.
But won. Handily it can be said.
* * * * *
I am oh so sure I never imagined I’d be writing these words.
But here goes.
U of L’s victory was secured by a skein that began with elevation-impaired Aly Khalifa blocking a ‘Cuse attempt in close. That led to Isaac McKneely’s 5th threeball of the night. Which was followed by three more consecutive productive possessions.
The game wasn’t artful.
But victory was a psychological imperative.
Workmanlike works.
* * * * *
At the game’s first media timeout, four minutes and a tick of numbing ineptitude for a 2-2 tie, Doc texted me.
“Can it get any worse?”
Legit query, that.
Starting with Monday’s news that Mikel Brown would not play.
Then the wipe our glasses moment when seeing Vangelis Zougris was starting in place of Sananda Fru.
Followed by the opening interlude featuring three blocked shots by the Orange, 5 turnovers between the combatants, and 1/6 shooting from the Cardinals.
Well, the answer to the question in the short run, the first half, Yes for the visitors, No for Louisville.
An 11 zed run by U of L featuring a couple of welcome bombs from Isaac McKneely, the second a +1, and the swirling uncertainty momentarily dissipated at 21-10.
The visitors were 0/11 from deep before the break.
Given some of the head scratching Cardinal fives on the floor, it was frankly impossible to fathom what the final twenty might bring. Even with an 18 point halftime advantage and a foe as giving as soon-to-have-a-new-coach Syracuse.
* * * * *
Louisville steadied.
Kobe Rodgers was a mature presence. Running point more than he has, even when Mikel has been out.
J’Vonne Hadley is perennial.
Isaac McKneely rejuvenated.
Ryan Conwell missed his first four layups. But hit three in a row late when they were really needed.
Adrian Wooley came to ball, his 7 boards more telling (and important) than his 8 points.
77-62.
Yeah, Doc, it could have been worse.
Much worse.
Thankfully it wasn’t.
— c d kaplan
Category: General Sports