OK, there’s an iconic SNL sketch, where the characters are sitting around kvelling about Barbra. I think Mike Meyers might have been in it.

Anyway, unbeknownst to them ahead of time, Streisand herself is on hand and walks into the scene.

They are verklempt.*

*Yiddish for “overcome with emotion.”

Louisville (11-5, 4-1) 74, Clemson, still ofer for Derbytown, 64.

I am absolutely, positively, VERKLEMPT.

 * * * * *

I really oughta shoula start with J’Vonne Hadley, but rest assured I shall get to him soon enough.

But I want to begin with what seems here to be the biggest moment in the game.

After Kader Traore had made consecutive dunks early in the 2d, the Cards led. 56-45.

Then Clemson connected on three consecutive triples. Without an answer. The margin was two. Louisville looked as wobbly as they had all night, as they had been since the EKU game.

At which juncture, the only rookie on the squad, Khani Rooths, the only Cardinal to play but single digit minutes, drained his only bucket of the game. Mark it, three.

Consider it triage. Bleeding stopped. 59-54.

The Tigers were done. They never got that close the rest of the way. Because like all the great Cardinal outfits of yesteryore, and today, U of L was stronger at the finish.

*So engaged was Rooths, that during a timeout called by Clemson with 4:17 left, the freshman was the loudest cheerleader on the bench. So cool to see. 

 * * * * *

Those of you who’ve visited this way before know how high I’ve been on said J’Vonne Hadley.

Captain Steady I’ve dubbed him.

Does what needs to be done. Often quietly without much notice.

Tonight what needed to be done was: Dominate The Game.

Let it be said, let it be done.

For one, there was his usual overpowering defense.

Strong on the glass. (Or, should it really be off the glass.) 10 rebounds. Five offensive, including a couple on a possession late, which ended with him making a FT to push the lead back to 10 at 66-56.

32 points. The most a Cardinal has scored in awhile, my addled brain to tired to look it up tells me.

10/12 from the field, including all three bombs he attempted. 9/11 at the line. 4 assists. A steal.

Star o’ the Game? Uh, I imagine.

He was Everywhere.

 * * * * *

Which deserved huzzahs are not to diminish in any manner the best performance yet by James Scott.

Highlighted by his follow flush to push U of L ahead by a dozen 68-56. And his steal and slam to make it 72-58.

When the visitors secured a lead in the 1st, and the Cards were fighting back, Scott made a strong block on the defensive end, which led to retaking the advantage, which it never relinquished.

For obvious reasons, he cannot be dubbed Dr. Dunkenstein, or even Dr. Dunkenstein Jr..

Señor of Slam?

I am open to suggestions, and oh so very very sure I’ll get some.

He also snared 10 boards.

 * * * * *

Chucky Hepburn had 7 assists. Got to the line as is his wont, made 6/8.*

*Louisville was 16/20 at the stripe as a team. +12 since the vanquished hit but 4/5.

Traore by the by made his presence felt as soon as he entered off the bench early. Stole the ball, then scored in the paint, on his first two possessions.

 * * * * *

There are analytics.

There are the long held beliefs.

As for the latter, The Professor has alway said the most important ten minutes of the game are the last five of the 1st, first five of the 2d.

Figuratively, of course.

The Cards were down 28-34 with 3:13 on the clock before intermission.

Scott slam. Hadley in the paint. Three J’Vonne charity makes. Another JH layup. (Did I mention his imprimatur was all over this victory?) A second chance triple from Down Under. And a couple of those Chucky FTs.

The Tigers got one back late.

Each squad made a couple of shots in their first five possessions after cocktail time. Noah Waterman’s and that whatsisname Hadley’s were threes. The Tigers were twos.

Now for analytics.

Understand I’m not into numbers though I bandy them about from time to time here. I’m the guy who shuttered in undergrad when I just browsed through a pal’s Statistics textbook. So many formulas.

But Data’s the thing. I’ve mentioned Bart Torvik, where the Cards bumped up a slot to #33 after the W. And, of course, Ken Pomeroy, where U of L leaped four spots to #36.

The newest “guru” on the block is one Evan Miyakawa. whom I bring up to show what a strong win this was.

Teams have offensive and defensive efficiency ratings, how many points they score or surrender in 100 possessions. Their efficiency margin is the difference between the two. (3d grade math works for that.)

#1 in the land according to Miyakawa is unsurprisingly Auburn.

#2: Clemson.

Ahead of UConn, Houston and Tennessee in 3, 4, and 5 spot.

My point: Even though Vegas might have had the Cards as betting faves, Clemson’s win probability — however that’s figured out — was better.

My real point: This Win Is Huge.

We really don’t need numbers to know that, do we?

This mature Louisville Cardinal team continues to amaze.

That final again: Louisville 74, Clemson 64.

— c d kaplan