This. Season. Is. Over.

Full Stop.

Exclamation Point.

Of course, I have a few observations. But, frankly, breaking down if this would have happened, or this guy would have played more, or if the Cards played this D or O as opposed to that one: None of that is of any consequence anymore.

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As I watched the Cardinals melt down and fade into their own parade after the halftime giving of props and R E S P E C T to #2 on his jersey, #1 in your hearts Russ Smith, I thought how apropos the foe on this his day.

Notre Dame.

Russ’s most disheartening tilt as a Card ended in a 5 OT loss to the Fighting Irish. 2/9/13. Smith missed a trey at the end of OT#3 that would have won it, missed a trey at the end of OT#4 that would have won it, and another at the end of OT#5 that would have extended the marathon battle.

Bottom Line: That was the last game the ’12-’13 NCAA National Champions lost.

U of L’s double digit 70-82 L to Notre Dame on Saturday, before the biggest crowd of the year in a still way far from full Yum!,  was the last game  of the ’21-’22 Cardinals that will matter. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Notre Dame →

Rain delay?

RAIN DELAY?

Of course, there’d be something about now like an out of the blue rain delay. It’s been that kind of season in a cockamamie time.

It had actually stopped raining. Yet, the roof on the World’s Most Spectacular Arena (Louisville Division) was leaking anyway.

Wet Grounds in the official box score.

Where was Dan McDonnell’s ground crew with a tarp when we really need them.

Wouldn’t it have been something too poetic if as sure a W as this Louisville team faced for the rest of the campaign was cancelled?

But they played the game. After a 1:14 delay. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Boston College →

If you have come here for some new perspective about University of Louisville Men’s Basketball, some insight you haven’t already consumed from another long time hoops scribe, or an analytical perspective from a whipper snapper computer wiz, perhaps an opinion that might differ from the the average chat room dude with a moniker like Herb&Milt86 with no real insight or insider info, think again.

I honestly haven’t a clue.

I’m as flabbergasted as anybody who might actually be tuning in here the day after another headscratching clunker from the Cardinals.

This time a no show in Pittsburgh.

53 Cardinals, 65 Panthers Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Pittsburgh →

My first notice of the Louisville Cardinals playing a zone during their nine point setback to Florida State came after Matt Cross scored on an inbound play during the first possession after a media timeout in the 1st to knot the score at 28.

The Cards had gotten off to a fairly energetic start, at least at the offensive end, scoring on three of their first four possessions for a quick 7-2 advantage.

Sam Williamson seemed especially engaged. At the 11:18 TV timeout, the score 16 a-piece, he had 7 and 5. Second chance points stood at 6-2, favor Team in Black.

U of L was generally holding its own against the much much taller Seminoles. Though the victors’ bigs had several dominant, too easy stuffs, there had been four ties and nine lead changes by the 7:17 All State vs Geico, Progressive gets winner interlude.

Cross then tied it up at 28-28. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Florida State →

OK then, where were we?

Thirty six hours have passed since my diatribe in the aftermath of U of L’s bench meltdown in the final minute of the much-closer-than-it-oughta-been W over woeful Pittsburgh.

I’ve meditated.

I’ve exercised. Several times. Excessively.

Took a walk in the snow, tried to help a car make it up Galt hill. Futilely.

Had long conversations with fellow hoopaholics to exorcise the demons.

Put Spike Jones on the box.

Sooooooo, allow me to share a few observations from the victory.

Then take a look at the Cards’ realistic chances to dance.

(Not that I’ve totally forgiven Mack and Malik for their unacceptable behavior that nearly cost the Cards the W.) Continue reading Contemplating the Cardinals →

There have been times through the decades that I have been disappointed by the Louisville Cardinals.

By their performance. By their attitude. By some untoward, unnecessary actions.

Discouraged.

Distraught.

Dismayed.

Disturbed.

I needn’t move on to any other letter of the alphabet, I trust you understand my drift.

But, for the life of me, I cannot remember when I’ve been more disgusted.

Not so much with the team’s somnambulant play, though that’s part of it. And focusing on that would be to shortchange El Ellis, Sydney Curry, Sam Williamson and Noah Locke for his shooting. But for their energy, U of L would have lost at home to one of the worst teams in the history of the ACC.

Which they almost did anyway. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Pittsburgh →

Louisville Cardinal Basketball swept Georgia Tech in Atlanta on Sunday.

In the opener, 50-48 in a defensive slugfest.

In the nightcap, a hang on by the hair on their chinny chin chin nail-biter, 67-64.

I’m going to weigh in on both.

First, the gentlemen.

 * * * * * Continue reading Louisville CardFile(s): Georgia Tech, Georgia Tech →