By Matthew Vincent Osbourn
Donning a headset instead of a clipboard, color analyst and former Syracuse Coach Jim Boeheim makes invaluable contributions during Atlantic Coast Conference telecasts. Among them, that when University of Louisville basketball Coach Cardinal coach Pat Kelsey leaves the locker room, he “comes out on fire.”
Obviously contagious because so did Kelsey’s Cards on Tuesday evening at Blacksburg, Virginia. They scored the first 11 points of the game, including nine off of seven Virginia Tech turnovers. Nine minutes into the game, UofL owned a 20-6 advantage. UofL would go on to secure a 71-66 win over the Hokies but not without some unsettling moments for the diehards.
Early on, it seemed that Virginia Tech was going to get run off of its own home court. Initially kept in the game only by the difficult 3-point field goals of Ben Burnam and Brandon Recsteiner (who usually come off the bench), the Hokies pushed back against early Cardinal heat. Three consecutive UofL turnovers paved the way for a Brandson Rechsteiner triple and a Tyler Johnson plus one. Jaydon Young knocked down another 3-ball and Virginia Tech went on an 8-0 run and was back in the game.
It was at this point that the Cardinals showed why they are difficult to defend. Terrence Edwards, Jr, who had struggled somewhat thus far, connected on an old fashioned three point play. The next time down the court, Hepburn drove the lane for a contested layup. Following another defensive stop, J’vonne Hadley penetrated for a challenged bucket: three different players created layups for themselves on three straight possessions to combat poor shooting from the generally reliable marksmen. This gave the Cards a cushion which they carried into halftime with a 34-26 edge.
When the second half began, the Cards and Hokies initially traded baskets. At moments that UofL could have pulled away, they misfired on threes early in the shot clock and gave up points in the paint. Two consecutive VT threes pulled the Hokies within 5 when, on the following offensive possession, Johnson was fouled on a made field goal to complete a 9-0 Tech run. At 10:27, a Jaydon Young 3 tied the game: the Hokies had climbed back from a 19-3 deficit. Their defense looked impenetrable, the Cards were ice cold from distance, and the momentum was in total possession of the home team.
Once again, the experienced backcourt of the Cards did exactly what it was supposed to do: Hepburn got to the line on consecutive possessions, and Edwards, Jr. hit two late shot clock 3s. Virginia Tech made it a one possession game in the final minute when, with 23 seconds left and down 69-66, a J’vonne Hadley deflection put the ball in Reyne Smith’s hands. Smith would connect on 2 free throws after being fouled, and the Cardinal escaped Blacksburg with a 71-66 victory.
Ultimately, this was a game of runs. UofL was fortunate to escape with a victory. Not unlike Saturday’s game against Florida State, the Cards started well, struggled at times with interior defense, and rode their experienced guard play to victory through adversity. Winning anywhere on the road is always an achievement. Worth noting, however, that the Hokies’ Tobi Lawal, who leads his team in points, rebounds and blocks, barely dented the stat sheet.
Of concern is UofL’s recent inability to protect large leads while losing momentum. On the other hand, pulling out a victory in a hostile environment indicates a battle tested team increasingly ready for the upcoming tournaments. Cardinal fans should ultimately take comfort in the fact that Kelsey’s staff will again pick apart the team’s offensive shortcomings and defensive lapses in film sessions. He will have them as prepared as possible for Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh. Just ask Jim Boeheim. He knows whereof he speaks.