The highest court in Germany recently handed down a ruling that Birkenstocks are not a “work of art.”

It was in a case filed by the maker of the iconic hippie shoes in hopes of stopping the influx of much cheaper knock offs.

You know who else almost fell prey to a pretender wanting to knock them off?

Correct, the University of Louisville Cardinals.

Despite one of their significantly lesser performances during this surge that began in the Land of the Seminoles right before Christmas, U of L held on. Despite a second half defensive effort that was frankly disillusioning.

Like Birks, today’s effort was not a work of art.

The 21-6 (14-2) Cards prevailed 89-81.

 * * * * *

How ineffective was Louisville’s D?

After settling in, the visitors hit four of their last five shots of the 1st.

Then netted 4 of their initial 6 attempts after the break.

And, to make the affair truly perilous for the Cardinals down the stretch, the ‘Noles hit 7 in a row at the end until missing one at the horn.

In the interests of being a real journalist, I almost just went to examine the 2d half play by play. To see exactly what percentage of State’s were successful?

Because it seemed like just about every single one.

Louisville surrendered 50 points in the paint. A lot of them, too many of them too easy.

But I’m but a wag, so what you get is surmise.

 * * * * *

During that State foray midway through the 2d, when they were almost literally scoring every trip down the hardwood, and rather easily, U of L’s once 20 point lead was down to six at 66-60 with nine to play.

Florida State had scored on four of five previous possession.

An answer was imperative.

J’Vonne Hadley deuce.

Defensive stop. Finally.

Terrence Edwards tally in close after two offensive rebounds.

Stop.

Chucky Hepburn two.

State 1/2 at the line after Hepburn committed his second — let’s call ’em what they were — really stupid reach in foul, his 4th of the game.*

*The first of those obviously was his reach in 3d foul at :26 of the 1st. When, let’s also tell the truth, the usually tactically astute Pat Kelsey shouldn’t have even had the PG in the tilt.

CH responded with two FTs of his own. Hit a couple more, then a trey in consecutive possessions.

But for that skein and the resulting illusory 79-64 advantage there mighta coulda been a different outcome. The Seminoles tallied on their next five possessions.

 * * * * *

Talent, thankfully since U of L had the premier baller on the court, prevailed.

Kelsey abandoned any semblance of Louisville’s keep the ball moving, keep the feet moving offense.

Hepburn one on one.

Hadley one on one.

Chucky had 29. But tellingly only two assists.

J’Vonne, the team’s rock, rang up a dub dub, 18 and 11.

 * * * * *

The key to victory.

30/34 (88%) at the charity stripe.

+13 at the line in an 8 point W. Even I can discern the importance of the stat.

It helped that CH (84% coming in) hit a school record 17 of his 19 attempts.

Reyne Smith (94%) made both of his. Edwards (77%) made all four of his. Hadley (76%) 2/2. Khani Rooths and Kader Traore hit 5/7 combined.

James Scott,  the worst FT shooter, made no trips to the stripe.

 * * * * *

There’s a marvelous new doc on Netflix about last summer’s Olympic hoops tournament.

In assessing one the USA’s wins, Steve Kerr talked about how there were several times during the game, when the team should have put the hammer down. But didn’t. Making for a tighter encounter than it might have been.

The same can be said about Louisville’s effort Saturday noon.

The Cardinals “should have been” up way more than they were early. The fourteen point halftime margin “should have been” 20. At least.

So, it came down to the wire when U of L allowed State to shoot 60% from the field in the 2d.

Chalk up the performance to February blahs.

Chalk it up to the flu bug.

Chalk it up to the reality that Louisville’s ascendence, legit as it is, has been aided in great measure by a woefully weak ACC.

The game’s three leading analytics guys all still have the Cards Top 25 even after the less than stellar win.

But here I am, a diehard, a fellow who literally describes himself as a curmudgeon on his business cards, picking nits after U of L’s 21st W of the year.

What a joy to complain about win after win.

Note of Warning to Loyal Readers. Given Tuesday’s 9:00 tip in Blacksburg, and an early wake up Wednesday because of an important appointment, my GameCap will more than likely not be posted until midday Wednesday, quit possibly not until the afternoon. Sorry for the inconvenience.

— c d kaplan