Tag Archives: Anas Mahmoud

Louisville CardFile: North Carolina

February 2, 2016BasketballAnas Mahmoud, Chinanu Onuaku, College Hoops, Damion Lee, Deng Adel, Donovan Mitchell, Louisville Cardinals, Quentin Snider, Ray Spalding, Trey Lewisseedyk

The University of Louisville Cardinals woke up on Groundhog Day, the morning after a season redefining 71-65 W over North Carolina, not having to worry whether some previously anonymous groundhog (a/k/a whistlepig, a/k/a woodchuck, a/k/a Marmota monax) in Puxnawhatever, Pa. sees his/her shadow.

After a weekend of soul searching, during which the Cardinals tempered their steel, while their fan base was wondering whether they might have to find some non basketball endeavors to occupy their time in late March, a major question was answered.

This U of L team may go down, but it will not be for lack of effort, or the lack of will to fight back.

Here’s what Louisville did to the Tar Heels, in front of 22,781 Yum! fans who turned raucous once they found their seats. They limited the visitors with the nation’s second best assist/ turnover ratio to 11 assists, while forcing 16 turnovers. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: North Carolina →

Louisville CardFile: Georgia Tech

January 24, 2016BasketballAnas Mahmoud, Chinanu Onuaku, College Hoops, Damion Lee, Deng Adel, Donovan Mitchell, Georgia Tech, Louisville Cardinals, Mango Mathiang, Quentin Snider, Ray Spalding, Rick Pitino, Trey Lewisseedyk

Welcome to the Spin Zone.

Where there shall be no joking about a certain emerging U of L Cardinal’s ethnicity. No reference to last year’s Triple Crown winner. No analogy to Pyramids in the Paint. No hoops hieroglyphics.

No joking here, unlike The Rick, who, during his post game radio show after the Cardinals gutty 75-71 W over the Ramblin’ Wreck of Georgia Tech, proved he knows more about the Play Book than the Good Book.

Yo, Coach, it wasn’t the Egyptians forced to wander the desert, but, uh, vice versa. Anyway, that’s another discussion for another time.

Like I said, welcome to the Spin Zone.

Anas Mahmoud, spinning from the right block across the lane for a nifty floating hook shot, southpaw from the Brooklyn side.

Anas Mahmoud, spinning from the left block across the lane for a nifty floating hook with his stronger hand.

Anas Mahmoud, spinning from the right block, feigning a full traverse of the paint, stopping, switching the ball back from his left hand to his right, for a deft little five foot push floater.

Anas Mahmoud, grabbing the eminently loseable tilt by the short and curlies, thus spinning into the hearts of U of L Cardinal fans hither and yon. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Georgia Tech →

Louisville CardFile: Florida State

January 21, 2016BasketballAnas Mahmoud, Chinanu Onuaku, College Hoops, Damion Lee, David Levitch, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Johnson, Louisville Cardinals, Luke Hancock, Mango Mathiang, Montrezl Harrell, Quentin Snider, Ray Spalding, Rick Pitino, Shaqquan Aaron, Trey Lewisseedyk

Updated 1/21 at 1:15.

The dunk, ah yes, The Dunk.

Well, ever the contrarian, I shall not start with that moment. Though, rest easy and be patient, I shall get to it soon enough.

After all it has hoopaholics locally and across the B-ball universe ODing. And, should Dickie V have been telecasting U of L’s 84-65 W over Florida State, we may have had the unfortunate pleasure of watching him implode with hyperbole before our very eyes, his viscera blasting through 55 inch Samsungs across the country. (Thankfully he was elsewhere.)

So, yes, more in a bit about Donovan Mitchell’s splendorous slam, and its place in Cardinal lore. But first, I want to talk about my favorite play of his last night. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Florida State →

Louisville CardFile: Pittsburgh

January 15, 2016BasketballAnas Mahmoud, Chinanu Onuaku, College Hoops, Damion Lee, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Johnson, Louisville Cardinals, Quentin Snider, Ray Spalding, Rick Pitino, Trey Lewisseedyk

Just how justifiably pleased was the often prickly Rick Pitino after the focused Louisville Cardinals 59-41 Big East-ish beatdown of rival Pitt?

Well, during his meeting with the media, he shared some personal info, which is an alien concept for him, contrary to his default MO. He shared that he never eats on game days, such is his nervousness, but had chosen to do so Thursday, due to the late tip. And that he had to take his leave for a moment during a break in the action mid-game for a bit of personal purging.

Said he’d eaten a taste of turkey. No bread. Apparently it wasn’t bland enough.

But, a more telling expression of his pleasure at the Cards’ performance came during his radio interview with Bob Valvano. During which, he further extrapolated on his gastrointestinal discomfort, and the reasons therefor. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Pittsburgh →

Louisville CardFile: UMKC

December 23, 2015BasketballAnas Mahmoud, Chinanu Onuaku, College Hoops, Damion Lee, Jaylen Johnson, Louisville Cardinals, Quentin Snider, Ray Spalding, Rick Pitino, Trey Lewisseedyk

After last evening’s gluttonous consumption of tenderized Kangaroo, a 75-47 dessert portion of Missouri Kansas City, there is but one confection left on U of L’s holiday platter of sweets.

Tonight’s victim Utah Valley is ranked #323 (Of 351 DI hoops participants), and is the last meringue the Cardinals shall gorge before the real season begins on Saturday in Lexington.

The Cards continue to impress, as much as they can against what has been unarguably the most pathetic schedule played by any legit national contenda.

The question remains, despite the tenuous but arguably persuasive logic that this young team needed more scrimmage-like seasoning than normal, will they be ready for Kentucky in Rupp? And improving Wake Forest in the ACC season opener? And beyond?.

Or, would they have been better served with a bit more competition?

We’ll soon enough find out. Was U of L’s recent grande bouffe of pastries a healthy enough diet, more beneficial than, say, Vandy’s trip to Purdue, or Iowa State’s test at Cincy, or California’s visit in Charlottesville? Continue reading Louisville CardFile: UMKC →

Louisville CardFile: Western Kentucky

December 20, 2015BasketballAnas Mahmoud, Chinanu Onuaku, College Hoops, Damion Lee, Deng Adel, Jaylen Johnson, Louisville Cardinals, Mangok Mathiang, Matz Stockman, Quentin Snider, Ray Spalding, Rick Pitino, Trey Lewis, Western Kentucky Hilltoppersseedyk

One of Rick Pitino’s most exemplary traits as a basketball mastermind was evident in Louisville’s convincing 78-56 win over long-time rival Western Kentucky Saturday noon.

Pitino has been a long time believer in specific game preparation, in cutting off the head of the foe. It is no accident that, when his teams play their best, the leaders of the opponent have an off game. Oh how many times, when he was coaching UK, were U of L’s leading scorers non-factors in the annual rivalry game?

Too damn many.

That was the story again yesterday, as Louisville, for the first time in over a half century, eked ahead of the Hilltoppers all-time in their series with 40 Ws to WKU’s 39.

Louisville had more than doubled up on the visitors, leading 34-16 at intermission. The Toppers leading scorer and rebounder, sophomore Justin Johnson, had more turnovers (1) than points, zero. As in, squadoosh. Scoreless. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Western Kentucky →

Louisville CardFile: Grand Canyon

December 6, 2015BasketballAnas Mahmoud, Chinanu Onuaku, College Hoops, Damion Lee, David Levitch, Deng Adel, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Johnson, Louisville Cardinals, Mangok Mathiang, Quentin Snider, Ray Spalding, Rick Pitino, Trey Lewisseedyk

“You always look good, when you make your shots.” — The Professor

U of L opened yesterday noon’s tilt as if the basket were the Grand Canyon, as well as the severely over-matched foe, a school so named.

A quick rundown of the Cardinals’ first fourteen FG attempts. Ray Spalding slam. Trey Lewis layup. Damion Lee missed jumper. (Dude, didn’t you get the memo?) Spalding follow tip. Lee trey. (That’s better.) Spalding layup. Lee deuce. Quentin Snider triple. Lee jumper. Snider layup. Snider jumper. Snider layup. (Q definitely got the memo. He had 8 assists on the day.) Donovan Mitchell three. Lee another from beyond the arc.

There were also several steals, abundant rebounds, a blocked Antelope shot or two, as well as enough deflections to actually make the coach clap his hands in appreciation.

After which interlude — which I called a “FLURRY!” in my notes, but may have more officially been what Coach K has designated a “BOOM!!” — Louisville led 38-15.

Matz Stockman was taking off his warmups. The visitors from the WAC, having proven themselves more jackalope than antelope, felt like they were combating Class VI rapids on the Colorado River. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Grand Canyon →

Louisville CardFile: Michigan State

December 3, 2015BasketballAnas Mahmoud, Chinanu Onuaku, College Hoops, Damion Lee, Denzel Valentine, Donovan Mitchell, Louisville Cardinals, Mangok Mathiang, Michigan State Spartans, Rick Pitino, Trey Lewisseedyk

There are any number of reasons why last night’s frustrating but far from devastating 67-71 loss at Michigan State should be gratifying for Louisville fans.

And a harbinger of better moments to come.

As U of L had its way with five featherweights to open the campaign, there were signs that this edition of the Cardinals would be significantly better than the pundits predicted pre-season. But, since those tilts were in essence scrimmages, it was hard to tell how this still being assembled contingent would fare when the lights were brighter, when the opponents were legit.

How good can this promising Cardinal team be?

We now know.

Damn good.

Trading punches while giving no quarter to an acknowledged national contender with the leading national POY candidate on its home court reveals a lot. Flaws. Gaffes. Systemic failures. Heart. Guile. Potential. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Michigan State →

Louisville CardFile: Saint Louis

November 29, 2015BasketballAnas Mahmoud, College Hoops, Damion Lee, Louisville Cardinals, Mango Mathiang, Quentin Snider, Saint Louis Billikens, Trey Lewisseedyk

Cardinal fans have seen such games as the one played out last night in front of a lot of empty seats by Louisville and the Billikens of Saint Louis, in something called the Brooklyn Hoops Classic.

This one ended happily for L1C4 Nation — already giddy after the afternoon’s gridiron win over Kentucky — with a Trey Lewis three, capping a 77-57 Louisville W.

Such sublime finishes haven’t always been the denouement of similar plotlines through the years.

U of L comes out rocky in an early season road game, against a lesser, but well coached foe. The squads go back and forth. The Cards seem off their feed. The other guys drain some long balls, catch a break here and there on loose balls. Key Cards commit stupid fouls, finding themselves on the bench for long stretches.

Louisville pulls away a bit. Then the other guys come back, take the lead.

As has too oft been the tale at such junctures, especially when Louisville is young and/or inexperience or both, the Cardinals never quite get their act together. The games end with fewer U of L points on the scoreboard than the other guys.

Which is how this game felt it might play out at the 16:10 mark of the 2d stanza, when a Miles Reynold’s trey pushed the Billikens ahead by a point, 34-33, after they had trailed by five late in the opening half, and by 3 at the break.

Ah, but this time, this still developing band of Cardinals did the tighten up. Even though starting center Chinanu Onuaku had just committed his fourth foul, one that can only be described as S.T.U.P.I.D.. Even though scoring ace Damion Lewis, was also in danger of disqualification which eventually came about, had yet to tally.

Instead of folding, here’s what the black t-shirted Cardinals wrapped around the next four Saint Louis points. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Saint Louis →

Louisville CardFile: St. Francis (Brooklyn)

November 25, 2015BasketballAnas Mahmoud, Chinanu Onuaku, College Hoops, Damion Lee, Deng Adel, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Johnson, Louisville Cardinals, Mangok Mathiang, Quentin Snider, Ray Spalding, Rick Pitino, Trey Lewisseedyk

Corrected 11/25 10:12 am.

As has been the pattern this season, Card Nation attendees who actually showed up at the Yum! were late-ish arriving and small-ish numerically.

By the time many of them arrived at their seats, the rout of U of L’s latest plug du jour was a fait accompli.

Here’s how U of L opened against its fourth absurdly overmatched foe of the season:

Damion Lewis hit 1/2 FTs after being fouled while shooting. Full court press. Chinanu Onuaku missed a one-hand slam on an alley oop. Next trip down he canned a five foot J. Next trip he netted a follow. Full court press. Steal. Lewis tallied a fast break layup. Full court press. Quentin Snider banked in a sweet layin after a crossover dribble to lose his man. Full court press. Steal. Lewis scored on a follow shot. Full court press. Lewis tally +1.

15:37. First TV timeout. Cards 14 points, 4 steals, Terriers 4 points.

BALL GAME!!!

Boredom ensued. Continue reading Louisville CardFile: St. Francis (Brooklyn) →

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Sports Commentary With A Skewed Perspective