There are big wins, and then there are big wins. Any win over North Carolina is huge for any collegiate basketball program. Especially encouraging for a program that was Payne-stakingly devastated during the recent past.
If Wednesday’s 83-70 win for Louisville over North Carolina is any indication, happy days are here again. A big win for UofL, but an even bigger win for first-year head coach Pat Kelsey. The Cardinals led the game for all but 24 seconds in the first half, and won going away in the final minutes.
Kelsey and company obviously know what they’re doing, and the crowds are returning to the KFC Yum! Center. A total of 14,428 fans on hand as the Cardinals improved their won-lost record to 2-1 in the ACC, and 9-5 overall. Never mind that the Tar Heels are 8-6 overall and 1-1 in the conference, the win over UNC is significant. They will be in the thick of things in March.
“I am proud of our guys,” said Kelsey. “It was a heck of a win. Obviously, Carolina is extremely talented. They are as good of a downhill, transition attacking team in American as you’ll see – maybe the best. We really had to be on transition defense and block out, which are two things we really, really harped on. I thought our guys were really good in that regard. It was probably our best defensive effort of the year.”
Kelsey was especially complimentary of the efforts of Terrence Edwards in holding UNC All-American R. J. Davis to only two baskets from the field for only 12 points in the game. He had been averaging 21 coming into the frey. “He (Davis) is a terrific player, as we all know, very, very decorated, an All-American. I thought Fatt (Edwards) did a phenomenal job.”
Louisville Chucky Hepburn led all scorers with 26 points, making five of eight field goal attempts. He was even more effective from the free throw line where he cashed in on 16 of 20 attempts. His 16 freebies tying an all-time team record.
“Chucky was amazing – 26 (points), seven (assists) and two (rebounds) was an elite performance. I thought James Scott was great at the end of the game, to close out the game with a block and a big rebound and a dunk.”
What’s equally impressive is that UofL maintained its intensity from the opening tip to the closing horn. No signs of wavering in the closing minutes, holding North Carolina without a field goal in the final four minutes.
A big win, indeed.
