Two exhibition seasons in — one literal, one figurative — and, like 99 44/100% of the programs in the land, the University of Louisville has a few things figured out, and a lot more questions left to find answers to.

The latest laboratory work performed Thursday night concluded with a 106-70 taming of the Tigers from Jackson State.

This squad from the SWAC, while way overmatched, is significantly better than U of L’s previous victim from the MEAC. More talented, better coached.

(Beware of mixed metaphors. It’s not 5:00 in the a.m. yet, and I’ve consumed but a few gulps of joe.)

So, what I’m throwing out here this early morning after are random observations.

The good, the bad, the ugly, the beauteous, the subjective.

J’Vonne Hadley sat on the figurative pine in concussion protocol. He is the soul and the mucilage of the Cards. It showed up most at the defensive end. U of L had trouble closing out beyond the arc. The rotations weren’t as solid as opening night. JS was 11/27 41%, while the Cards were only 10/33 30%.

Louisville forced but a dozen turnovers, while committing 10 themselves. Six by PG Mikel Brown, against his 9 assists. Two games in and, as is par for the course, the supertalented rookie is still shaking off the symptoms of freshmanitis.

Which abates before our eyes. After a meh opening stanza, Brown was involved in all as the Cards scored on four of their first five possessions opening the 2d. Two assists to Fru, a couple FTs, a drive and deuce. The yin: he turned it over on the other possession.

S2 of the Kasean Pryor saga commenced without much if any fanfare but plenty of fan adulation at the 16:27 mark of the 1st. No blonde hair. A wrist wrap. Plenty of Wild Thing energy (Zou you got a madman runnin’ podner.)

Coincidence or proximate cause, Louisville proceeded to run off 12 in a row, taking an insurmountable 21-6 advantage.

Pryor finished with six points, 3 boards, three fouls, a steal and fastbreak slam in sixteen huffin’ and puffin’ rusty minutes.

His return is welcome and important.

Three Cardinals continue to grow. A heartening sight, assuring that improvement is afoot.

Khani Rooths is continuing to emerge, playing ferociously, putting on display a game not really hinted at his frosh season. Attacking the hoop. Jump hooks. Cleaning the glass. Draining his FTs. Hunkering down on D.

16 and 10. Something we call a double double.

Adrian Wooley fouled out in 18 minutes, and otherwise would have seen significantly more action. He continues to spring from his chrysalid. Playing with more confidence. Starting to finish at the rim.

9 points. 5 rebounds. 2 steals.

It appeared obvious that Pat Kelsey is starting to run James Scott plays for Sanny Fru. The German ex-pat was 6/8 from the field. At least four of those deuces were slams. Probably more, maybe all. Five Windex swipes, 4 off of Card misses.

He still is learning to use his strength. Twice he went up for shots inside and was thwarted.

Kobe Rodgers is also beginning to flash. In only 18 minutes, he dimed 5 assists, pilfered four steals, and was second on the squad for +/- at +27. Along with 3 rebounds and 7 points. PK’s desciptor of PG2: “catalyst.”

Speaking of +/-, Isaac McNeely led the Cards at +33. The importance of which might get lost if lamenting he only scored 8. The former Poca Dot has a way more complete game than simply firing away from afar. He moves his feet on D. Gets to the hoop. Sets screens. And draws a lot of the other team’s attention.

Let’s be honest, there are Pharaohs wrapped in cloth in sarcophagi in the Sahara that can leap higher than Aly Khalifa. But he does deliver the rock. Four assists, and the same number of boards. In only 12 minutes of play.

Plus he’s very clever.  Late in the action, a Card missed a J. Rooths had blocked out a foe, but behind the Tiger was Khalifa. Who craftily tipped the ball forward over the opponent’s outstretched arms to Khani for an easy follow layin.

U of L’s inside game is going to be a matter of discussion/ concern/ masking the entire season. Let’s hope it’s not an Achilles heel. Only one block Thursday evening. (vs. 4 for the Tigers.)

For most of the game, the Cards were in the mid to upper 80s %-wise at the charity stripe. There was a bad interlude in the 2d, when they missed 4 of 5. But 26/35 74% is certainly acceptable.

There was a time Cards fans sat in wonder how Denny Crum would get Allen Murphy open for J on an inbounds play. Which in retrospect seems frankly simplistic, given what PK’s teams do.

That last play of the 1st still has me smiling, a high low delivery from Khalifa to Rooths.

Next: Oh you know.

— c d kaplan