Senior Nights are a lot different than they were just a few years ago. Rarely are there any four-year players because of all the revolving doors during the ever changing world of college athletics. Not even the final home game at the KFC Yum! Center this season, the last one is Tuesday, March 3rd
But that doesn’t make the current players any less significant for University of Louisville basketball fans. A crowd of 16,350 on hand on Saturday for their official farewells to the current group of outgoing players. A memorial group, consisting of Ryan Conwell, Y’Vonne Hadley, Isaac MacNeely, Aly Khalifa, Kasean Pryor, Kobe Rogers, Spencer Lagg and Cole Sherman. Then, of course, there is Mikel Brown, Jr. who will almost certainly be a first-round pick in the upcoming National Basketball Association draft on May 10th.
The opponent was Georgia Tech, a truly desperate foe, having lost five straight games coming into the contest. Despite some obvious scoring droughts, the Yellow Jackets trailed by only 11 points at the half. Louisville would score the first 13 points on the second half en route to an 87-70 win over Georgia Tech.
“The crowd was awesome,” said UofL head coach Pat Kelsey. “I did a little thing on social media yesterday, really asking people to honor these seniors here tonight. Saturday afternoon games are always awesome at the Yum! Center. I walked out and looked at the upper deck and it was a great crowd. I know the seniors really appreciate it. That’s an awesome group of dudes. It’s kind of unique just because this isn’t our last home game, but just because this is a weekend game it made more sense with the parents traveling in and things like that …”
Brown continuing to dazzle all onlookers with his no-fear long-range shooting. He would again lead all scorers with a total of 19 points, including three 3-pointers and six of six free throw attempts. If he can retain his shooting touch into the post season, UofL could be a dangerous team. Otherwise, an early out appears to be coming.
