Tag Archives: Jay Henderson

Louisville CardFile: Pittsburgh

joaniecardAll things considered, U of L’s most impressive road W yet this season, 67-60 over the Pitt Panthers, should have been contested today, on Throwback Thursday.

For the manner of victory hearkened back to the First Golden Age of Louisville hoops, say, ’72-’86. Back then, on any number of occasions, the Cards would be contesting a good but beatable conference foe on the road. They’d fall behind, but, ever resolute, would pull back, and take a lead around midway through the final stanza.

The home team, eager for a victory over the Cards, would stay the course.

So, to close, Louisville would need to score every possession down the stretch. Which, on way more occasions than not, the Cardinals did.

Were my memory more intact, I’d recite chapter and verse. But, it isn’t.

But even with all those “program wins” the Cards have celebrated through the decades, I’m not sure I can recall one quite as prodigious as last night’s.

Of course, it was set up by one of Louisville’s worst interludes of the year, coughing it up on three consecutive possessions, when a 40-37 advantage morphed quickly into a 40-41 deficit. To which Pitt scored 7 more in a row.

Continue reading Louisville CardFile: Pittsburgh

Cardinals in the Caribbean: Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Aptitudes

dunikcardThere is abundant evidence that summer sojourns prove to be a rejuvenating elixir for college basketball squads.

The last time U of L hitched a ride on one of these busman’s holidays, an overachieving squad slipped into the Final Four six months later.

That said, nine games in six days against the same foes can turn into a grind. The Cardinals and the Puerto Ricans, already familiar with each other from The Rick’s Parris Island preparation at the Yum! practice facility were already testy with each other during last night’s opening double dip. There was lots of bumpety bump.

Will the “best attitude of any squad I’ve ever coached” survive the rigors of vacation?

Will the Cards make it to Wally World?

It was a rocky start. The A Team lost to the Puerto Rico MNT, 81-89. The B Team lost to the Puerto Rican Juniors, 88-94.

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My hunch is that fans paying attention will be slobbering all over 5th year newcomer Damion Lee, the transfer from that academic school Drexel. Continue reading Cardinals in the Caribbean: Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Aptitudes