Louisville 55, Tennessee 77.

Reality check.

The Volunteers on the second Saturday of November 2024  are . . .

Stronger.

Tougher.

Quicker.

Better coached.

More talented.

Simply better. At this juncture, significantly better.

It can be posited, and I am doing just that, this was a far more valuable experience for U of L than another walkover against North Tennessee A&M.

Better for the team. Assuming as I do that this group is mature enough to use it as an important lesson on what it takes to win at the highest level of college hoops.

Better for Pat Kelsey and his coaching staff, assuming as I do that they are astute enough to use it as an important lesson on what it takes to win at the highest level of college hoops. In planning. In strategy. In understanding the level of talent necessary to get from the portal and prep ranks.

Better for the fan base to understand that the Cardinals return to the upper echelon is a marathon not a sprint.

Recently in theathletic, there was an article where 11 coaches were asked anonymously a number of questions. One of which was to tell what school is the hardest to plan for. One answer to that was “Tennessee,” because the responder said, “they play such tough defense.”

True, that.

As much flow and movement as the new look Cardinals legitimately have, they essentially could never run their offense.

The Vols, having been there for awhile under Rick Barnes, were ready for the moment.

Louisville was not.

Louisville was nervous from the opening tip, turning the ball over on its first four possessions. At the first media timeout, the Cards were 0/6, all threes because they couldn’t penetrate Rocky Top’s D, and couldn’t get clean looks anywhere.

U of L’s first score was a Reyne Smith corner three at 14:32 to pull within 7 at 3-10. Only at 6-12 a few possessions later did they get closer.

At the half, the victors were +20 in the paint (24-4), and had doubled up Louisville on the boards, 24-12.

U of L steadied in the second — until they finally wore out — once momentarily pulling within single digits. But the Cardinals remained measured throughout.

  * * * * *

Whether the down time is good or not, U of L has ten days to lick their wounds, regroup before Bellarmine, Winthrop. then the Bahamas to meet at least one, perhaps three Top 25 teams. Ole MIss, Duke and North Carolina await by NY evening.

Patience is a must.

For players.

For coaches.

For Cardinal fans.

 * * * * *

Yes, there were a few positives.

The Cards forced 20 turnovers, five more than they committed.

Louisville was +20 off the bench. 39-19.

The Cardinals netted all 13 of their charity tosses.

The beatdown was  not good.

It was not the end of the world.

Or the season.

— c d kaplan