Random observations from S1 E1 of the Pat Kelsey Era.

Cardinals 93, Eagles 45.

Warning: Plot spoilers below.

Though he’s talked about it, acknowledged it, expressed his gratitude for being part of it, U of L’s new coach again seemed truly floored while basking postbame in the glow of the Red & Black Nation’s intensity and adoration during a boffo Opening Night with rave reviews.

He said he “got goose bumps.”

(As I mentioned in Part I, so did I. We were not alone.)

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In that Q&A, he mentioned as he consistently has, how mature his put-together contingent is. He talked of their meticulous preparation and attention to the scouting report and its details.

It became apparent early on, the Cards knew exactly what Morehead State wanted to do on every play. The players were calling out the cuts and and swings.

Of course, MSU is a cut below talent wise, but still they were so discombobulated from the opening tip, they had more shots blocked in the opening stanza — 4 — than they made. Which is now famously 3/28 (1/11).

For the entire affair, the Cardinals forced MSU into 21 turnovers vs. just 12 made baskets in 52 attempts.

Louisville meanwhile, playing at a faster tempo than any previous Louisville team — Ever, including ’13 — gave it away just five times.

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While the rebounding totals were relatively even, and we’ll get a much more meaningful view of U of L’s board acumen on Saturday, the Cards looked more intense carom-wise than in the four exhis.

Kasean Pryor led with a dozen, Some, frankly, vicious.

The new Cardinal who fascinated me most in this regard is Kader Traore. Who snared 9. Many of which were crafty, manly man, lurching to the glass grabs. This kid competes with fire in his eyes.

Starting big James Scott pulled off 5. But it seems apparent he is likely still youthfully foul prone.

Which is why I’m anxious to see if the court presence of little-used Frank Anselem-Ibe increases. He’s 6-10 and solidly constructed.

He pulled away three misses in just six minutes of action. One, a follow slam.

They were strong, indicating a propensity for mixing it up underneath.

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During the tilt, I kept thinking several of these Cards remind me of one from the past, a guy who was just around when and where you needed him. Relentless. A winner.

Dwayne Sutton.

Having a few of these guys at hand = A Good Thing.

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From here, the most impressive aspect of the beatdown was the intensity of the defense.

Followed by the speed at which these Cardinals play, the ball movement, the communication, the hustle — in no particular order.

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Other stuff.

Khani Rooths spent much of the game on the bike behind the bench. Keeping some leg thing loose, one must surmise.

Pat Kelsey glasses will become a thing. There was a gift pair on each of the fat cat seats before the game.

There were no Cardinal cheerleaders.

Before a 2d half Cardinal FT, there were guys laying on the floor, looking for a lost contact lens. Now, that’s some old school.

Heralded college hoops datastician Ken Pomeroy moved the Cardinals up 8 spots after their opener, from #64 to #56.

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Historical Context. (And you thought you were going to get away without it.)

Opening games of significant Louisville coaches through history:

In ’44, Peck Hickman beat Georgetown College 99-27. (No, I was not there.) That edition finished the season 16-3.

In ’67, John Dromo’s first campaign in first chair, the Cards beat Georgetown College 118-86. That Unseld/ Beard/ King/ Holden/ Selvy gang went 21-7 falling to Houston in the MW Regional.

Denny Crum’s ’71 debut was a 69-70 loss to the Florida Gators in Gainesville. “I got their attention,” he’d muse when thinking back at the opener for that 26-5 Final Four team.

Rick Pitino’s ’01 opener was a 92-38 mauling of South Alabama. Followed by a visit to Oregon, where the tide turned. Quack 90, Louisville 63. That 19-13 contingent lost to Temple over hockey ice at Freedom Hall in the NIT.

Next: Tennessee. Saturday. Noon. In the Yum!.