Lots to take away from a runaway 106-70 win for the University of Louisville basketball team over an out-manned Jackson State squad. The first being that this UofL team is going make some major waves this season, as any of the 14,412 fans at the KFC Yum! Center will attest.
Coach Pat Kelsey has put together a collection of beef, the likes of which this observer has never seen in Cardinal uniforms. A team that reflects the bruising style of play into today’s college basketball era. They appear to have spend as much time in the weight room as on the basketball court as part of their daily routine. There are six players who are at least six feet, eight inches, topped off by Sanando Fru at 6-foot-11 and Aly Khalifa at 7 feet and 250 pounds. This UofL team will not be physically intimidated
Louisville probably enjoys the best collection of 3-point shooters in quite a while. Led by Isaac McKneeley who was teh leading 3-point shooter in the Atlantic Cost Conference last season. The former Virginia guard was good for two of six from behind the arc on Thursday. Even more impressive, however, was Ryan Conwell with four of 10 three’s and a tean-leading 19 points.
Mikel Brown, the 5-star recruit, is due for a breakout but he was two for seven beyond the arc. He had 18 points and nine assists. Got to put those six turnovers behind him and he will.
UofL fans saw a new Khani Roots on the floor. A year ago he was known as a skinny 6-foot-7 player who was the only freshman on the team. He emerged this year as a much, more muscular version of himself ready to be taken more seriously. Surprisingly, he started the game in place of J’Vonne Hadley (out for concussion protocol). An impressive start with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
A roar went up from the crowd Kasean Pryor reported to the scorer’s table early in the first half, the first time since injuring his leg on Nov. 25th last season. Happy to be back, he was, but the fans were equally ectatic. Pryor wound up with six points, three rebounds and a steal.
Jackson State got on the board for an early 4-2 advantage before UofL erupted for a 19-2 run to take a commanding lead. The Cardinals owned a 53-35 lead into the break, holding two of the Tigers’ starters scoreless in the first half.
Big test coming up on Tuesday as the Cardinals host Kentucky. An early match up, probably too early in the season, that will set the tone for both programs in weeks ahead. One thing certain is that UofL will be ready for the physically rugged challenge of the rivalry.
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The massive video board, actually 44 feet wide on the sides, remains a major distraction going into its third season. The graphics are ultra high quality, with lighting that is superior to the action on the court. One often finds himself watching the video board over the action of the court.
Why am I watching the game on a screen? That’s only cool for fans who go crazy seeing themselves up there.
The Observer has to keep reminding himself that there’s no real substitute for watching the game in person over a televised version. Too much screen time already for the technology inclined. Keep it real, folks, the real action in on the court. What can we expect next with Artificial Intelligence around the corner. Keep it real, keep it real.
