- Peyton Siva’s stat-line: Zero points on two attempts, two assists, three turnovers, zero rebounds, two steals and four fouls in 23 minutes. This from your senior point guard is simply unacceptable. Not pinning loss on Siva, but his performance was nothing other than atrocious.
- In a low scoring 51 point affair, credit Russ Smith, Luke Hancock and Gorgui Dieng on still finding a way to grind out double figures with 12 a piece.
- After finishing the first half at 100% going 12-12 from the free throw line, the Cards manage just a poor 40% going 4-10 in the second to finish just under 73% for the outing.
- Deing (39), Hancock (32) and Behanan (30) all played over 30 minutes against the Hoyas. Russ Smith and Blackshear right behind with (29).
- Three point shooting was an abysmal 27% on 3-11 from deep. No Cardinal other than Luke Hancock connected from long range.
- Even though a couple of attempts were poor, Blackshear showed great ability to get a shot off. Unfortunately, his accuracy was back in Louisville. Finished with five points after going 1-9 and 0-5 from deep. Blackshear did go hard on the glass and tie Gorgui and Chane for team leading rebounds at seven a piece.
- Louisville lost the rebounding edge 34-29. Cards backcourt needs to greatly improve on its rebounding. Russ Smith and Peyton Siva combined for only one rebound.
- Cards did not score a point in the last 4:14 seconds in the game. That cannot happen. Thankfully Georgetown had a similar drought the last 3:38 or it could have been much worse than a two point defeat.
- This loss hurts and hurts badly. Mostly because it’s the third consecutive loss, but also because there appears to be some deep rooted problems with this team, and not just one. Leadership being the largest. There just doesn’t appear to be any.
- Luke Hancock’s 22 made three pointers on the season has doubled his freshman season of 11 and is one shy of his sophomore year total of 23. Freshman & Sophomore season’s played at George Mason.
- Bright spots: Luke Hancock finished with 12 points, Blackshear’s seven rebounds, three steals for Behanan (double his average), first half free throw shooting of 12-12 (Smith & Blackshear finished game 7-7). That’s all I’ve got.
January 27, 2013 at 11:07 am
Deep rooted problems… Our attitude looked like somebody died at halftime in the locker room? There was zero emotion and confidence displayed in this game. I am more worried about WHERE THE DISCONNECT IS WITH THE TEAM CHEMISTRY than I am with scoring the ball, rebounding, and hitting free throws. Only positive to take away is that we are playing horrible, NOT having fun on the court, and look miserable BUT WE ARE ALMOST WINNING these games. I hope we get it figured out quick because aside from losing its boring to watch.
January 27, 2013 at 12:55 pm
They have no leadership. Siva is a horrible senior point guard and most importantly they have lost their swagger. Don’t see this see them bouncing back. Seem like they are disconnected and that happens with trouble in the locker. I honestly believe they are not getting along. I don’t understand why or how Pitino hasn’t nipped this in the butt already and got this team back on track.
January 27, 2013 at 1:26 pm
You could see there were problems before the start of the game when the camera went to Russ on the bench. You could see it in the faces of Chane and Deing. There are definatley morale issues and inner problems. I believe it all goes back to Rick and Siva. While Rick continues to prase Siva as one of the best point guards in the country. Sivas performances on the floor are far from the best or one of the best.. Siva continues to get the quick silly fouls, turnover the ball, dribble into trouble and make poor decisions, While Rick keeps him in the game. I am not the only one who noticed everytime Siva went to the bench saturday Louisville rallied back and even took the lead. Then Siva comes back in and the chemistry went away and so did the lead. Others looked to quit and watch as Siva ran the last play. As a lifetime Cards fan at 20 seconds left I knew the play. I called it, Siva will run the clock out no time left shoot and miss the shot. As a precaution I prayed please don’t do your normal drive in the lane lose the ball or throw it away. I love Rick but he needs to wake up and realize Siva is NOT the answer. The stats dont lie, Siva’s zero points, turnovers, fouls lost this game period. And the morale is in the toilet.
January 27, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Hey to all you couch potato coaches its just a few bad games the guys will get it together nobody is perfect, get your lazy butts up off the lazy boy chairs and get out out there on the court see if you can do better you would be out of breath in 2 minutes STFU!
January 27, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Slip sliding away….: (
January 27, 2013 at 5:37 pm
Ok i have been saying this for years and i will share this unpopular thought. Pitino needs to go. I admit i am upset but am of sound mind and body lol
January 27, 2013 at 5:45 pm
Think about this hoopstars. He gets paid title coach money for 2 final fours in 12 years. Not good enough.he consistently talks about how he wishes he was still at kentucky. He ruins any hope kids have of getting drafted by banging defense only in their heads. Why would any kid want to come here. I admit i love the defensive game but the nba could care less so why would a kid come here. He has lost it. Open the checkbook to Brad at butler imagine what he could do with good recruits.
January 27, 2013 at 5:47 pm
Also, pitino didn’t let siva go until less than 8 seconds left. I don’t get that at all. They left no time to foul. If siva would have shot and missed 10 seconds earlier, Louisville has one more chance to tie.
Overall, they can’t shoot free throws and crumble down the stretch
Who knows, maybe that #1 ranking hurt them. They’re 1-3 since.
January 28, 2013 at 12:41 am
Coach P has lost it in 13 years at louisville has 4 NBA players while Kentucky had 6 in last year draft Kevin Ware need to tranfer luke hancock suck how does he even get on the court.
January 28, 2013 at 10:09 am
How cn you say Hancock sucks? He put up 12 points and shot well, Hancock needs the ball more so he can put up points. Until then, Louisville will and die by smith and siva. Dieng and Behannen need to get going to. We have to so much depth yet it doesn’t matter when half of your starters don’t show up and Hancock and smith are the only ones scoring