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Onward...I'm over it

CardHack

Four-Star Poster
May 29, 2001
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Alright. I'm over it and console myself by saying Creighton and Auburn are less than thrilled at having to play us in the first and potentially second rounds. In Lexington no less though for every four Louisville fans in Rupp there will be a UK fan or some orange Terd from Buck Tustle, TN who looks like he's dressed for Deer season or road side trash pickup who can barely spell S-E-C let alone pronounce it.

That vent finished, Creighton first.

One I like that their offense is overwhelmingly in the hands of their PG Ashworth, and he plays 35 minutes a game. With a name like Steven Ashworth you'd think he'd be on the LIV Tour instead of playing point guard for a Big East program. Good luck shaking Omaha's own Chucky Hepburn, Douchebag. Little known fact...CardHack spent the first six years of his life not far from Creighton, though you won't find any plaques in my honor. Such is the fate of someone born in a town where Warren Buffet and Johnny Carson are from. Nonetheless, something I don't like is that Creighton doesn't foul and we are a team that really builds up a FT differential when we're right. This is the first Louisville squad since 1975 that averaged making as many FT attempts as our opponents attempted. It's what dogged us against Duke. Kalkbrenner doesn't foul and blocks nearly three shots a game which to me says we have to involve him heavily in pick-and-rolls. Side ball screen pick and rolls when it's Edwards or Hepburn on the elbow extended. And it also tells me that we HAVE to have Reyne in this game. Creighton hits 9.7 threes a game which is identical to us. If we are going to be getting to the FT line less than normal we simply can't have a three point deficit. The math doesn't work if we do if we're having to have an overwhelming volume and percentage on two point shots because we are a team sans a low post scoring option. Our points in the lane come from Chucky and Edwards drives or J'Vonne backdowns or putbacks. Despite Kalkbrenner's presence they are only a +3.6 a game on the boards whereas we're a +4.6. Statistically two evenly matched teams. It's those three point margins and how we manage Kalkbrenner that will determine who plays Auburn on Saturday. But I think we really have to have Reyne on the floor.
 
Well, I'm not over it. It's a mega dis. But, it is what it is. Can't change or do anything about it.

Regarding Creighton, the Cards are a 1.5 point favorite, but ESPN's matchup predictor has it 52.5 vs 47.5 in favor of Creighton.

I think the season ends on Thursday. We'll see.
 
Kalk is a problem. He's a multi BE DPOY and he's super experienced. They just got done playing a road game at night in the Garden in the BE final vs the #1 D. I mean really this is a team that you could see making it to the next weekend and not just be stunned by that.

They have some spot up shooters and a stretch 4, but they aren't overly athletic. Ashworth does fill up the stat sheet he's not afraid to mix it up and if we're going to win Hepburn has to outplay him. If they are hitting 3s we are in trouble. They are experienced and well coached.

I do love our guards not sure what we'll be getting out of Smith since he's been on ice a few weeks. Maybe the crowd can be a deciding factor for us I don't like the early tip either though.

This is an 8/9 so it's a total toss-up but we may have been in a toss-up in the 6/11 or 7/10 too. If they gave us UCLA's 7 and let us play Utah St that would have been a scary game too just a different sort of foe.

We've been given a ton of coverage it's hard to say how a team is going to react to that.

Ultimately, it's been a fun ride and I'm just taking it all as gravy. I also understand the system is massively corrupt and this seeding screwed Louisville, Creighton, and maybe Auburn too. Nice job NCAA!
 
Some may want to forget this incredible insult to UL, the coaching staff, the players, the fans and the city itself, but I don’t see this going away soon, and it should not go away.

Good analysis of Blue Jays and tough opponent to start.
 
Kalk is a problem. He's a multi BE DPOY and he's super experienced. They just got done playing a road game at night in the Garden in the BE final vs the #1 D. I mean really this is a team that you could see making it to the next weekend and not just be stunned by that.

They have some spot up shooters and a stretch 4, but they aren't overly athletic. Ashworth does fill up the stat sheet he's not afraid to mix it up and if we're going to win Hepburn has to outplay him. If they are hitting 3s we are in trouble. They are experienced and well coached.

I do love our guards not sure what we'll be getting out of Smith since he's been on ice a few weeks. Maybe the crowd can be a deciding factor for us I don't like the early tip either though.

This is an 8/9 so it's a total toss-up but we may have been in a toss-up in the 6/11 or 7/10 too. If they gave us UCLA's 7 and let us play Utah St that would have been a scary game too just a different sort of foe.

We've been given a ton of coverage it's hard to say how a team is going to react to that.

Ultimately, it's been a fun ride and I'm just taking it all as gravy. I also understand the system is massively corrupt and this seeding screwed Louisville, Creighton, and maybe Auburn too. Nice job NCAA!
Hopefully our recent game against Stanford's big man will provide us with a similar gameplan. Can't shut him down completely but maybe enough to frustrate him. Definitely agree that we need Reyne if not for the fact we have become a 2 player team. Got to get Hadley involved and at least have them respect Scott at the rim. Traore needs to stay within himself and do the things he's capable of defending down low and getting rebounds.
 
This game sets up for Hadley to have a big day! Matchup issues for their side if he doesn't over dribble and looks for the quick hit pass if their C helps. Aside from that can Scott and Waterman keep their C from having 25 and 12? If we.play unselfish ball and make open shots we should move on. Cards 74-68.
 
Hopefully our recent game against Stanford's big man will provide us with a similar gameplan. Can't shut him down completely but maybe enough to frustrate him. Definitely agree that we need Reyne if not for the fact we have become a 2 player team. Got to get Hadley involved and at least have them respect Scott at the rim. Traore needs to stay within himself and do the things he's capable of defending down low and getting rebounds.
This is JMO but the Creighton big seems more physical and a stronger defender. Yeah the Stanford kid was better offensively but a hair on the soft side, Kalk is not afraid to roll up sleeves and play stout D.
 
I’ll say this.

It would be extremely difficult for anyone, including us, to make a bracket today that did not have “tough games/matchups” in the first two games.

It’s just the nature of the game. The tournament was having “Cinderella’s” and big upsets early every year.

NIL and the Portal have expanded Cinderella’s carriage.

Therefore, I believe the team that doesn’t have a mental letdown at some point will win it. If anybody takes anybody “for granted” because of history, or seeding, will regret it.

Too many good players/teams out there.
 
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