The Global Sports Challenge has claimed its latest victim and it was the Savannah State Tigers tonight. The Cardinals led the game 23-0 with about 6 minutes to go in the first half and everyone in the building tonight knew that this one wasn’t going to be pretty. The lead at halftime was 41-7 and is the fewest points allowed by a Louisville team in a half in the last 34 years. When the final buzzer sounded it was the Cardinals 87-26. With the win the Cardinals move to 4-0 on the season, 68-9 all-time at the Yum Center, and Coach Pitino is just one win away from 700.
There’s really not much you can say about a game like this. And that was kind of the vibe in the post game press conference and the post game locker room. Coach Pitino didn’t have much to say about it and the players were hesitant to say much about the win other than they were happy and that they felt they had stuff they needed to improve on. It was a very professional and mature approach by the entire program. I don’t think anyone likes to win one like this so you just take it and move on.
It was a good game from a standpoint that some guys that normally don’t get to see much action got to get in the game. I thought Jaylen Johnson came in and gained some positive momentum. He had 5 rebounds and 7 points. I think that out of the freshman class that Jaylen along with Quentin and Chinanu really could contribute this season. These easy early games have at least helped these guys build up some confidence before they get thrown to the wolves later on.
Some of the stat lines are staggering… The 26 points allowed to Savannah State are the fewest since vs Georgetown College in 1947, Savannah State’s 19.6% Field Goal is the 2nd lowest by an opponent since 1972, Savannah State was 0-16 from the three point line. Louisville’s opponent in the NCAA last season St Louis was 0-15.
This one was just a massacre… Like Coach Pitino said it is really hard to know what to say about a win like this. I’m just glad to see the Cards get another victory, and do think that their defense is looking very good for this early in the season. Usually the offense is slightly ahead at this point but that’s not the case with this group. They are really getting after it on the defensive side of the ball and seem to have bought in early to what coach Pitino wants them to do. This can only be a good thing for later in the season especially when the offense catches up. After four games I am really confident that this team is going to do some great things this season and they are going to be fun to watch. Go Cards!
