Daily Archives: February 17, 2013

NO BULL

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Our Louisville Cardinals rolled into the Sun Dome in Tampa Florida this afternoon and rolled over the South Florida Bulls 59-41. This completes a two game sweep of the Bulls this season and Louisville now leads the all-time series 27 to 4 and 10 to 1 in the Big East regular season. With this win, Louisville stays within a game of first place in the Big East race.

Like every game, I’ve watched when these two teams play each other there were moments when the game was very ugly. But today the Cards made the most of USF’s grueling grind it out style of play. The Cards had some nice dunks, plays and their passing was as good as it has been all year long. The team played more as a unit today instead of a group of individuals. I really do think these guys are finally hitting their stride.

Russ Smith led all scorers in the game with 15 points but I was impressed with his overall stat line, and I think this might have been one of his best games from an all around standpoint. To go along with his scoring he had six rebounds, four assist, one steal and was 7 for 7 from the free-throw line. Russ finishes this day only 34 points away from the 1000 point club. This type of play makes a dangerous Russ Smith lethal to opposing teams. I have mentioned Wayne Blackshear and Kevin Ware several times this season in my post game rants. I have wanted to see these guys step up and contribute all season. Well today, they answered my call. They were the Cardinals offense in the first half that led to a 22 to 3 run. These guys accounted for 19 of the Cardinals final 59 points. I hope they can keep it going like this because this is a different team when they play like they did today. Chane Behanan has had his struggles from the line this season but he has been the most consistent player in the last couple of weeks. He had another solid outing today scoring 12 points. Peyton Siva did his job again today a distributed the ball well leading the game with seven assist. But I would really like to see him get to the free-throw line more. In the Cards 13 Big East games today marks the seventh time that Peyton has not been to the free-throw line. Really, think this has to change for a post-season run. Gorgui was a beast again today on the boards leading the way with 10 rebounds and also had 5 blocked shots. Again, he struggled on the offensive end of the floor and seemed very timid at times. I have my fingers crossed that his confidence will return offensively before March. The Cardinals defense held South Florida to just 24.5% on 13-53 shooting and forced 16 turnovers. And they scored 23 points off of those turnovers.

This was a great effort today from the Cards in a hard fought game. They really did have a very complete day. How is this for a team effort? In these categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks the Cards had four different players that lead in each. The Cards have now won four games out of their last five and 2 games in the 7 game goal to complete the season. They will now get a week to prepare for their next game at home against Seton Hall.

Coach Pitino won his 650th game today and said that it was the best played game of the season because of passing and defensive effort. Here is some of his quotes after the game:

Coach Pitino: “When we pass it we’re tough to beat. Nights we have struggled are when we didn’t pass it well.”

Coach Pitino on Russ Smith: “I thought it was one of his best games of the season. He might not think so but it was.”

Coach Pitino on Dieng’s five blocks: “He should’ve had 10, he kept going for shot fakes, but he played well. This was a really good team win.”

Coach Pitino: “The reason sometimes we’re not a good shooting team is we haven’t been a good passing team. One area we have struggled all year.”

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GAME #26 BEAK BREAKDOWN “The Bulls part 2”

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Our #12 ranked Louisville Cardinals (20-5, 8-4 Big East) hit the road for another Big East battle with the South Florida Bulls (10-14, 1-11 Big East) on Sunday. This is the second time these teams have met this season. The Cards beat the Bulls easily in the last game back on January 12th 64 to 38. Louisville leads the all-time series 26-4 and 9-1 in the Big East regular season.

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Playing against the Bulls is like watching basketball in quick sand. They love slowing down the tempo to a crawling pace and locking down their opponents on defense. This season was expected to look different for them thanks to a deeper, more versatile roster and the Bulls were hoping to be able to score more and be much more effective on the offensive end of the floor. But so far that hasn’t been the case. They rank 15th which is last in the Big East in scoring offense with 53.5 points per game, 15th in field goal percentage at 36.7% a game and 15th in 3 point percentage at 26.4% a game. They do shoot their free-throws well and are currently 5th in the Big East at 72.2% a game. Stan Heath is know for his defense and this year that hasn’t changed. The Bulls rank 8th in the Big East in scoring defense at 65.2 per game, 7th in 3 point defense holding teams to 32.4% a game, 8th on steals at 6.3 per game and 7th in turnover margin at +.50 a game. The Bulls are also struggling on the boards this season in a very physical Big East and they are ranked dead last in offensive rebounding, 14th in defensive rebounding, and 15th in rebounding margin.
Here are some other national ranks to consider. The Bulls are ranked 323rd nationally scoring 60 points a game, 278th with 32.4 rebounds a game, 271st with 11.5 assist per game and 321st in field goal percentage shooting 39.5% a game. Kenpom has their adj efficiency on offense at 99.3 ranked 180. He has their adj efficiency on defense at 98.3 ranked 141. He has them ranked 158 overall. Their current RPI is 124 and they are dead last in the Big East standings.

In-conference offense: 3pt-26.4%, 2pt-36.6%, FT-72.2%
In-conference defense: Turnovers 12.1pg, Steals-6.3pg, Blocks-3.0pg

Coach Stan Heath: “Every year you’re different,” “You’ve got to turn the page. We have a new roster, and we have to play to our strengths.”

The Bulls Players:

-Projected Starters

Kore White SR (3.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.5 apg) 6-8 F is a Florida Atlantic transfer. He can block shots, rebound and has a good shooting touch. He’s a solid player. He has missed time this season with a back injury. He shoots 47.4% from the field, 46.7% from the 3 point line and 50% from the free-throw line.

Toarlyn Fitzpatrick SR (10.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 0.9 apg) 6-8 F is a big defender and the teams most effective defensive rebounder. He is shooting 38.9% from the field, 32.6% from the 3 point line, and 73.5% from the free-throw line.

Victor Rudd JR (11.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.1 apg) 6-9 F has great athletic skill and is a real force inside and out. When he plays up to his potential he has star potential. He is shooting 38.8% from the field, 27% from the 3 point line, and 69.8% from the free-throw line.

Anthony Collins SOPH (9.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 6.6 apg) 6-1 G is fearless at both ends of the floor. He is a pass first guard but can score when he wants to. He is one of the best guards in the Big East Louisville will play this season. He is 5th in the Big East in assist with 5.4 a game, 10th in Free Throw% at 80.6%, 9th in assist/turnover ratio at 1.8.

Javontae Hawkins FR (1.9 ppg, 0.7 rpg) 6-5 G is the Bulls top rated recruit. ESPN rated him the No. 33 forward in the country. He is long, skilled and can get to the basket. He is a solid catch-and-shoot guy.

-Bench

Martino Brock JR (4.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.1apg) 6-6 G is a transfer from South Alabama. He is strong off the dribble and can step back to hit the jumper. He’s very versatile in the backcourt. He’s a great defender and aggressive on the offensive end. He is shooting 35.1% from the field, 25% from the 3 point line and 60.4% from the free-throw line.

Jawanza Polan SR (10.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg) 6-4 G is a feast or famine type of player but can hurt you if he does get it going on the offensive end as Louisville found out last year when they lost to the Bulls as he scored 16 in that game.

Jordan Omogbehin FR (0.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg) 7-3 C missed last season due to a knee injury. He is a big man and can be a defensive force in the paint.

Zach LeDay FR (4.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.2 apg) 6-7 F has been a key reserve for the Bulls this season. He can shoot the 3, run the floor and defend some.

South Florida has been struggling this season but they do have a decent bench and a group of capable athletes. They play great perimeter defense and will do a good job of keeping Russ and Peyton out of the lane. Once again our front court players will have to step up in this one to open up some offense against this good Bulls defense.

Are the South Florida Bulls capable of getting the win on Sunday? Yes they are capable but it would take an epic collapse by a Louisville team that seems to have things back on track. The Bulls will be outmanned in this one. Louisville is just on another level this season. No upset this weekend folks.

The Beak Prediction:
Louisville 70 South Florida 52