Best Start for UL in two decades

[Swamp Daddy]

Louisville has gone 10-0 to start the season defeating Memphis (State) 95-87 at home tonight . This is the best start in 20 years or so. Still as overrated at #4 as they were at #5 or #6; but, somehow able to grit out wins. Also home win streak (going back to last year) is 18-0, the best record in about 3 decades. Interesting as stats go but otherwise meaningless.

Memphis played a fast paced "rock'em, sock'em" type of game and when they could run they scored easily. When UL set up the half court defense Memphis didn't make a shot that went in in the first half; not too many in the 2nd half. UL led by as many as 14 in the first half and by 10 at the half. Memphis came roaring back in the second half to tie it several times and take a 3 point lead; due mainly to aggressive defense and many Memphis errors and turnovers, UL went back out to a 10 point lead with about 4:30 to go and coasted from there.

UL seems to have a really tough time scoring; but, still wins with some gritty play. Last year, and other years, the 3s fell so easily that this year's team's poor performance in that area seems to stand out even more.

However, the mostly cupcake warm-up season is about over. Conference play is about to start. More and more injured players are coming back. Petino is working them in which may account for some of the rough and uneven play as many combinations of players are brand new.

The next two weeks are filled with tough games including the conference opener and UK at their place.

Swamp Daddy

[Swamp Daddy]

Well, another gritty game against the College of Charlestown coached by Bobby Crimmins (former GA. Tech. coach). A solid team that gave Louisville all it could handle and stuffed in enough 3s to keep pace with the Cards and even led much of the time.

Finally UL pulled away a bit due to turnovers by the other team and got the win. That's 20 straight at home over two seasons; you have to go back to the 1980-81 team combined with the 1981-82 UL teams to get an equal. One more semi-cupcake in Western Kentucky then the conference opener (fortunately here at home) against Georgetown. And, two days later a tough road game against Kentucky at their place.

By this time next week a little more should be known about where this team really is. These soft early season games (which almost everyone now does) don't tell you everything.

Swamp Daddy

[Swamp Daddy]

The win streak continues at 12-0 this year and 20 straight at home (you have to go back to 1966 & 1967 years combined to equal that.

Wester Kentucky Hilltoppers (whatever a Hilltopper is I've never figured out) came to Louisville to play. UL look lethargic and by midway in the first half the Toppers led by 13 points. A late half surge by UL put the Cards ahead by 3 at the half. Western has a poor record but it didn't stop them from playing lights out.

The 2nd half started much like the first with UL operating in a daze and Western raced out to an 8 point lead. Finally, Coach Pitino made continuing changes in the lineup and hit the right combination and UL ran out to a 10 point lead with about 5 minutes to go. Western rallied again to cut it to 4 with about 2 minutes to go; but, good free throw shooting pulled it out in the end giving UL a 70 to 60 win.

They did not look good. Next game is against conference foe Georgetown. These close games are starting to make me nervous.

Swamp Daddy

[Swamp Daddy]

Well, the first real game is later on this day, conference opponent Georgetown who looks tough. At least we get them at home. And, two days later, a visit to Kentucky. Two tough games in a row .

Losses would not surprise me.

Well, after we play them maybe I'll whine then .

have fun, Swamp Daddy

[Swamp Daddy]

Well, the win streak is over. UL lost to Georgetown tonight at home. Boo-Hoo.

[Swamp Daddy]

The season looked bleak as injuries plagued UL. The roster rotated constantly. They started wearing protective helmuts during practices to prevent further injuries. The season was going downhill from a big start .

Struggling to finish the season UL was pegged at 6th in the Big East tournament. For the first time all year the lineup was steady, everyone was healthy. Ul catches fire and wins the Big East rournament. Still the nay-sayers were predicting a first round exit from the NCAA.

UL was seeded as #4 in the West. 4 amazing games later the team that could do nothing right (from mid-season on) is heading for the final four in New Orleans, the first team in.

If you are superstitious this is good as our two championships were coming out of the West and being first in.

It will be an exciting finish to the season next weekend. Especially if we can take the win against KY (providing they beat Baylor) after losing to them in the regular season.

Swamp Daddy

[Swamp Daddy]

Well, we couldn't get by UK though our two games with them were as close as anyone else (excepting their two losses). But, overall, I consider it a great year. So far, no one leaving early (always subject to change) so next year's team will be good too.

have fun, Swamp Daddy