Short playlist for a second escape in a row, Friday night’s 76-73 survival of the fittest W over Clemson in the ACC semi.

Cue the JJ Cale:

After midnight, we’re gonna let it all hang down/ After midnight, we’re gonna chug-a-lug and shout/ We’re gonna stimulate some action/ We’re gonna get some satisfaction/ We’re gonna find out what it is all about/ After midnight, we’re gonna let it all hang down

During the end game intensity the camera panned to an orange clad fan, waving a towel that read: “Built by Grit.”

Tsk, tsk, ma’am.

You saw grit as tested as it might get this time of year, and it wasn’t wearing orange and purple.

Pat Kelsey: “We gritted out a tough win.”

Cue Jackson Brown.

Because the short-handed, foul-troubled, weary Cardinals were indeed runnin’ on empty.

PK: “And it got a little tricky tonight when Noah fouled out. James had four, and we had other guys with three or four fouls, as well. Like I said, they were on fumes. We were on fumes. We were crawling to the finish line, as you could tell, and crossed it just in time.”

I seem to recall a post game interview decades ago with Lancaster Gordon after the Cards blew a lead not quite as big as last night’s 15 point advantage with three and a half left. He said something like, “Next time, we’ll just be farther ahead.”*

*Should it be “further? No matter, except to the grammar police. We understand.

Well, when your gas lines are gurgling to find some fuel, it helps that there is still enough in the carburetor to create enough combustion to get to the finish line.

So yeah, U of L had enough cushion to weather a comeback. The depleted Cardinals mapped out an escape route by shutting down a universally higher ranked squad — as an underdog — when they still had legs and were mentally acute and less prone for the gaffes that ensued down the stretch.

So, like Sloopy, the simply amazing Louisville Cardinals hung on.

So, when we get to worrying about, let’s be honest here, that late game meltdown (and one the night before against Stanford), perspective is called for. At 27-6 — let me repeat, 27 wins, only 6 setbacks — this pasted together band of Cardinals have won more games this campaign than the last three seasons combined.

Thus, I would offer, all things said and done . . .

We found out what it’s all about, and . . .

We got some satisfaction.

 * * * * *

I loved the play of Kader Traore.

Louisville’s “beef” underneath, such as it is, had serious foul trouble. Noah Waterman fouled out. James Scott finished with four. They were only able to play 24 and 23 minutes respectively.

Clemson’s inside game is a big part of their modus operandi.

Undersized, but arguably the meanest of the Cards’ junkyard dogs, KT mixed it up underneath like a dude five inches taller and forty pounds heavier. Seven strong boards, and a game saving block at the end.

He saved a couple of key possessions on 50-50 balls.

He gave no quarter.

 * * * * *

Also, as always, J’Vonne Hadley was a rock.

His impressive stat line — 20 and 9 with a couple assists — aren’t as important, to me anyway, as that he’s always in the middle of it. Always steady. Always there. Always alert. And prone to make a big play when necessary.

Which he did Friday.

 * * * * *

Here’s the mantra I scribbled in my notes several times in the 2d.

MAKE FTs WIN GAME!!!

22/27.

82% works.

Including a couple I considered a harbinger at the time, and proved meaningful later.

Sketchy at the line, Hannibal converted a 1+1 midway through the 2d, to push the Cards’ advantage to 51-38.

 * * * * *

Chucky Hepburn had five assists, five rebounds, and six steals. (Though I personally wished he didn’t reach so much. Then again, he’s the league D PoY and I’m an old fart sitting at a computer.)

But my favorite play of his came on the last possession of the 1st. He had a breakaway. Instead he pulled it out to steal some clock, preventing Clemson from getting a meaningful shot late. Thereby preserving a five point lead at the break.

His 60 foot pass to Khani Rooths for breakaway slam was also nice.

 * * * * *

Does Terrence Edwards look like he’s going to lose his dribble most every time he drives the lane?

Correct answer: Yes.

And he does some. But most of the time, he survives his tilt-a-whirl spins and feints, and gets close enough to the hoop. Where he has a startling facility to finish in the forest underneath.

21 points. 8 rebounds. 3 assists.

 * * * * *

Not sure this gang will have enough time to recharge for an encounter with the Evil Empire in tonight’s ACC championship game?

What I do know is this. They and we are blessed with the opportunity to find out.

27-6, and still playing the night before Selection Sunday.

Whodathunkit?

— c d kaplan