I love Louisville Cardinal basketball.

I love U of L hoops on August 1.

I love games that tip at noon.

I love it when my team rolls.

As it did on Thursday afternoon in the Bahamas against the U of Calgary.

Cards 111, Dinos 71.

Those are a few of My Favorite Things.

Julie Andrews? Coltrane?

Your choice. I prefer the latter.

It appeared from the first couple possessions that it would be a significantly more competitive contest than the walkover against a put together 5 on Tuesday.

After all Dan Vanhooren’s squad was a real team, 20-12 (15-5 in Canada West Conference) last season. Five league titles in last fifteen years. Captured a natty in ’15, 79-77 over the Ryerson Rams.

But, even though the Cards had to work harder against a man to man than they did in their Baha Mar opener, uh, No. It really wasn’t a significant test.

The good guys were up 17-6 at the first media break, 59-38 at halftime, and crossed the century mark on Noah Waterman’s second chance triple with 7:32 left.

Slippage obviously ensued. UC scored the last seven at garbage time.

 * * * * *

Some numbers:

Improved FT marksmanship. 25/33 (77%).

+13 on points off turnovers (20-7). Only 12 giveaways, no player with more than a couple.

+28 on rebounds (53-25). Leading to a +23 on 2d chance points (25-2).

+40 on points off the pine (53-13).

22 assists on 37 made FGs (of 71 launched).

12/31 (39%) from beyond the line in the sand by the Tiki Bar on the beach.

Leading to +40 on the scoreboard.

With two exceptions, the players on scholly were all on the hardwood at least 15 minutes, but no more than 22. James Scott started but only balled for 12. Wrist. Frank Anselem-Ibe played 7.

It was a pleasant way to spend an early afternoon. Hope your HVAC is as steady as mine in this abysmal humiture.

 * * * * *

Speaking of favorite things.

My favorite play of the day: Kader Traore’s goal tend. Standing start to the stratosphere. Sweet.

Rookie Khani Rooths led U of L off the glass with 11.

Chucky Hepburn delivered 7 dimes.

Waterman had four blocks.

Five guys marked double figures. Kasean Pryor 20. Koren Johnson 15. Terrence Edwards 14. J’Vonne Hadley 13. Waterman 10.

 * * * * *

Even though there was more dribbling agains the man to man, the ball still moved.

Guys still hurled themselves out of bounds to retrieve an errant rock.

There were floor burns.

While defending threes needs to be improved, the Cards effectively mad quick hedges when a Dino had an inkling to drive. Relentlessness wore down the losers. Early on, they were netting the ball at way over 50%. They finished the tilt at just 31%.

Guys continue to streak to the hoop from the weakside.

Pick and rolls were observed.

Bigs Waterman and Pryor saw minutes on the court at the same time.

 * * * * *

It is a whole new deal, this Floyd Street Media. And, God Bless ’em for these summer treats. But their production is as much a work in progress as the Cardinals are.

The announcers come from the Yo, Bro School of Dude Broadcasting. A little too much shilling for the company for my taste, though I understand.

When asked before the game what he hoped to see from the Cards different than their opener, Terrence Oglesby’s strange response, “More ball movement.”

Yo, bro, didn’t you watch the first game?

Now comes the withdrawal, the slog of no real hoops until November.

Jeff Brohm and your pigskinners, you got now.

— c d kaplan