Perhaps even more so than last night at the Yum! for a battle against the U of L Cardinals, Cal Berkeley wasn’t getting a lot of ink when arriving for its one previous game in town.

March ’59.

Final Four. Years before it was actually dubbed the Final Four.

At Freedom Hall’s second of five championship weekends. Cementing FH’s status as the epicenter of college basketball.

National semis on Friday night. Championship game, and since discarded Consolation throwaway on Saturday night.

The main buzz of course that year was about upstart, surprising, surging University of Louisville. A week after a magnificent Mideast Regional in Evanston. Where the Cards throttled #2 Kentucky 76-61 and #7 Michigan State 88-81.

Then there was Cincinnati, featuring heralded Oscar Robertson, formerly of Indianapolis Attucks HS.

Plus West Virginia, led by He Who Would Become The Logo, Jerry West.

Those three schools consumed most of talk and conjecture. Pete Newell hadn’t yet ascended to his status as Big Man Whisperer. Darryl Imhoff. Who knew?

Ah but there was one thing about that Golden Bear contingent that grabbed attention.

At least in the mind of 14 year old Chucky. (That’s what my mother called me then. Honest.)

The photo in the C-J of the blonde Cal cheerleaders strolling down Fourth Street. Bedazzled, I immediately wished they all could be California Girls. Years before Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys put it on wax.

I was in the Hall in primo seats midcourt about five rows up, which my dad scored from a connected pal Poachy Marks.

The Cards were game but had peaked. Lost to Zeke from Cabin Creek and his mates. Then the Big O and his.

Neither of those more noteworthy contenders were able to best the Left Coasters.

History shows it was those Golden Bears who prevailed.

 * * * * *

Let it be writ, history did not repeat itself Wednesday night.

Louisville (24-6, 17-2) 85, the dudes from Cali 68.

If pubescent Chucky in ’59 thought California’s W was an oddity, then you’ll understand why octo-Seedy has a call in to Mr. Ripley after last evening’s cockamamie affair.

Believe It or Not:

I noticed as the teams were lining up for the tip, Terrence Edwards appeared to have sleep-deprived tired eyes. Actually jotted it down.

Then this. The Cardinals first half dozen FG attempts were all from beyond the arc. Two were netted, both by U of L’s newest pappy.

At the 10:12 stoppage of a struggle by both squads to find their rhythm, good guys up  14-12, Louisville had four made FGs.

All by TE.

The Cards first FG by a player who hasn’t been on diaper changing duty was Kader Traore’s at the 9:59 mark.

Believe It or Not:

With 8:06 to play, Cal leaked ahead with a second chance tip in dunk. 16-19 visitors.

Between then and intermission U of L played defense as good as any seen in the ACC since, oh, Lawrence Taylor was wearing baby blue in Chapel Hill.

Between then and halftime, having lost Reyne Smith for the night with a bum ankle, and Edwards for the interim due to a curious Flagrant 1 call, his 3d transgression, Louisville held the Golden Bears without a tally from the field.

C’est vrai. No FGs. 8:06.

The Cards 25-7 run for 15 point advantage at the break was kicked off by, you guessed it, Terrence Edwards. He drained a triple. Then another. Then J’Vonne Hadley showed his love for newborn Trey with an LRBM of his own.

Believe It or Not:

Louisville’s start in the 2d: Noah Waterman post up +1. Chuck Hepburn triple. Another three by, oh, you know. Followed by a Chucky +1.

Four possessions. 12 points.

Efficient.

The Cards advantage was 24, 53-29.

California never got closer than 13 the rest of the way.

Believe It or Not:

Louisville’s splendid FT marksmanship continues. 20/26. 77%. Including an almost acceptable 2/4 from James Scott.

Believe It or Not.

The Cardinals cruised despite giving up 20 offensive rebounds, resulting in 17 second chance points. (Reality is this is a true shortcoming which isn’t going away, and seems eerily like an Achilles Heel when the Cards start dancing.)

Believe It or Not:

For the first time in weeks, Scott left his mask on the bench when returning to the battle after the meaningless dustup he had with a Golden Bear had him resting for a bit.

Believe It or Not: Cards registered 7 blocked shots.

 * * * * *

Fatherhood seems to have nudged Edwards to a new level. After scoring 23 in the W over Pitt, he rang up a career high 35 last night.

11/19. 7/11. 6/8.

That be a mighty fine slash line.

Which bring up one more Believe It or Not. Four different Cards have hit the 30 mark this campaign. TE. CH. Down Under. J’Vonne.

Jolly good, that.

Hadley was ever steady. 16 and 8.

I love love love how solid he is.

Chucky was Chucky. 16 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists.

I thought Noah Waterman’s 18 minutes were his best of the year. Despite his length, he’s not meant to be an inside presence. But he battles. Six window cleanings, the same number of points.

Khani Rooths was also a factor. 4 and 5 in 22 holding-down-the-fort minutes.

 * * * * *

In a season that gets curioser and curioser by the tilt, Pat Kelsey, his staff, and these guyz — Oh these guyz!!! — continue to amaze with resilience and maturity and an ability to adapt successfully to the epidemic of untoward circumstances.

Considering all the injuries, flu bugs, lack of bulk, here is what is truly furshlungginer.

What is generally regarded as true is that national champions have both a Top 20 offensive efficiency rating, and a Top 20 defensive efficiency rating.

One of the trio of hoops analytical gurus Bart Torvik advises this. Since the first of the year, seven teams can boast that. A bunch of the usual suspects from the projected top two lines.

Plus Texas Tech.

Plus . . . You ready for it? . . . the University of Louisville Cardinals.

I kid not.

I have no delusions that this squad is a legit contender for the title.

But I can say this gang has been a shitload of fun. They have spread joyeux to all in the environs.

They have surpassed any reasonable expectations. Then some. Then some more. Then a smidge more.

Next. Regular season wrap. Saturday. 2:00 pm. Stanford.

Be there or Be square.

— c d kaplan