Has Louisville basket ball turned it around this year?

[Swamp Daddy]

Hi all: After a very dismal start, lots of fan complaints, visions of another mediocre NIT appearance, has Louisville turned this year around?

Winning 16 of the last 20 games, including 5 straight (3 of which were on the road), the Cardinals have moved from the lower middle of the pack to a solid lock on 3rd place, and a first round bye in the tournament.

I'm not sure what I expect next; but, if play continues at this level only Pitt and Georgetown stand in the way in the tournament.

I wonder what sort of an NCAA seed this means? I suspect that at least 6 Big East teams will make the NCAA, maybe 7.

At least there has been something to cheer about.

Have fun all, Swamp Daddy

[mountainman]

The Cardinals are playing really well right now. You're right about Pitt and G'town, their big men can just dominate a game and they have very good supporting casts.

As for the the Big East, I figure six for certain, probably seven and maybe even eight make the big dance ...... how well teams play in the conference tournament will tell the tale ...... there's a bunch of team playing good basketball right now.

[Eric]

Kentucky should be in.

I think it's obvious that Louisville has turned it around. They have a pretty good basketball program. Remember just 2 years ago, they were in the Final 4. They just had a down year in 05-06 and it carried over into this year but they snapped out of it just in time. I've been pretty impressed with their play down the stretch and it happened at the right time. I wouldn't be surprised if they are in the Sweet 16 come March.

[Swamp Daddy]

Eric: I think KY will make the big dance unless they go out in the first round of the SEC tourament. And, maybe even they they'll make it. Big East starts today (much later today).

UL ended as the 2nd seed which surprised me; and, probably surprised many other fans. If a team ever seemed to peak at the right time this one did.

I think Duke has fallen apart and Mike Shy's comments on the game show his true character. It's taken years; but, maybe the press has finally caught on that Duke has been riding on the reputation earned 10 years ago. Now, if they would only subject Notre Lame to the same treatment in football.

Interesting end to the season.

Swamp Daddy

[Swamp Daddy]

Well, the first half of the first round went about like I expected. The way Louisville blew out Stanford early surprised me, not the win, but the ease with which they did it. Hopefully, this will not be mean a let down in the next game against Texas A&M by thinking they will be as easy.

I was only mildly surprised at Duke losing to VCU; I had that a toss up but I figured Duke would end up on top due to the favoritism usually shown them by the refs.

I also had MI State winning but I thought it would be a much closer game. I dont' even get in office pools anymore as I dont' follow the game over all as I used to. My last few years of brackets were pathetic.

Local radio station here has a $100,000 office pool (really a contest); but, the winner does get $100,000.

Well, let's all root for our teams to get to the second round.

Swamp Daddy

[Swamp Daddy]

Hi all: Hard drive crash had me off the air for awhile. UL losing to TX A&M was a slight disappointment; but, I had them out next game anyway.

With almost the whole starting team back and many talented off the bench guys who will know the system even better we should have a good basketball season starting in the fall of 2007.

I look forward to a better year in the Big East. When that Derek Character actually shows some and comes to play UL is a notch better.

all for now,
Swamp Daddy

[Swamp Daddy]

Well, 2007-8 over; the team was great. Derek Character played to about 10% of his supposed potential and wasn't missed. The Elite 8 was a game better than I had though at the beginning of the year. And, maybe 2 games better than I thought after mid-January.

David Padgett played to 120% of his potential.

Many will return for 2008-9 season and I look forward to great things.