Positives and Negatives

[Knucklehank1]

Positives - coming back from 12 down, Enoch asserted himself, Fresh looked like a point guard we can win with, Greasy Papa John wearing blue

Negatives - Nwora not affecting the game when his shots aren’t falling, free throw shooting, no production/clock from any of our younger players

 

[yum center]

I hate to say it but the team played better with Nwora on the bench.

 

[earsky]

New I hate to say it but the team played better with Nwora on the bench.

You shouldn't hate to say it. Needs to be said.

 

[Knucklehank1]

I hate to say it but the team played better with Nwora on the bench.

The comeback happened with Nwora on the bench. It’s unfortunate but he’s costing himself money. His inability to affect other aspects of the game when his shots don’t fall is a big negative for his NBA prospects.

 

[LeFors4Ever]

Mental toughness is our negative.

Yes we battled back in, but we could never get that big play to finish them. We missed easy free throws. Our star player got shut down and quit.

Effort and defense is a positive, but you have to execute better. As old as our players are, is that something that can improve?

 

[earsky]

Op,I think You've hit on some good points.
I do have to add that the importance of not allowing anything easy around the basket is not a priority to our post players.
I'll use the example I used in another thread. R McCray,S McCray and Charlie Jones took pride in protecting the rim like no one else I've ever seen. If you foul,you foul, but nobody gets anything easy. Our guys are trying not to foul,instead of trying to keep the other guy from scoring. This phantom attempt to be strong defensively has to change.

 

[WeRUL]

+ Kimbell, Enoch and Sutton. Played to overtime at hostile environment.
- Nwora, McMahon, Perry. Free Throw shooting. Officiating.

 

[Louisvillian]

I hate to say it but the team played better with Nwora on the bench.

Everyone has an off day but Nwora ought to be forced to watch tape of Damien Lee at Rupp Arena in Dec 2015. And that was against a better UK team. That’s how you play against your rival.

And no one on earth could compare Lee’s talent to Nwora’s.

 

[Sultan__of__Swine]

Positives - coming back from 12 down, Enoch asserted himself, Fresh looked like a point guard we can win with, Greasy Papa John wearing blue

Negatives - Nwora not affecting the game when his shots aren’t falling, free throw shooting, no production/clock from any of our younger players

I really thought with Rick Pitino gone, we'd finally see some freshman elevate their games and contribute in big way. Same ole story. Williamson looked great early in the season and appears to be shrinking. David Johnson doesn't get an opportunity. The rest are bench cheerleaders. So much for the Super Six hype at this point in the season.

 

[Knucklehank1]

Nwora’s +/- for the game was -18

 

[LouisvilleKid79]

Nwora looked one dimensional today and made himself easy to guard. He is unable to create offense and did not move well without the ball. Have to give Cal some credit for throwing different guys at him. It was predictable.

This team is not a Final Four or Elite Eight contender if they do not get more production from Williamson or Johnson IMO.

I thought Perry and Kimble played fairly well given their overall skill level and limitations.

Enoch needs to get more touches in the post. He showed great patience in the post.

 

[Louisvillian]

Nwora’s +/- for the game was -18

The old hockey stat is telling. Not everything but still telling of a bad day.

 

[KozmasAgain]

I like McMahon but I really thought we should of had a taller defender on Maxey. It was easy for him to shoot over McMahon and I thought Nwora showed no heart tonight it looked as if he was just going through the motion. This team still has a good chance to go far I am not giving up on them because of this loss.
I do wish we used our bench more Williamson and Johnson need more time on the floor. I am sure CCM knows more than me after all he sees these guys in practice all week.

 

[Thecycle27]

Mental toughness is our negative.

Yes we battled back in, but we could never get that big play to finish them. We missed easy free throws. Our star player got shut down and quit.

Effort and defense is a positive, but you have to execute better. As old as our players are, is that something that can improve?

We have a winner. Watch the body language of Nwora and Perry when things go sideways. You can tell immediately things aren’t going like they want. What are they going to do in March when the pressure intensifies? They went 9-21 from the freaking free throw line with most of them being your older guys. The two veteran guys take incredibly difficult shots at moments they needed quality shots. A veteran weakly position himself for a rebound only to give up a offensive rebound to a kid that wanted it more. They almost lose at the buzzer because a veteran doesn’t block out his guy. Maybe if he tries to put a body on him the freshman makes a mistake in going over the back.

Great teams win a bunch of games by simply doing the little things better. Here is the thing Louisville isn’t beating better teams with talent alone because they don’t have better talent. They have to do the little things well. That requires mental toughness. We are in year 2 and that is still an issue with this group.

 

[REDFISTFURY3]

We have a winner. Watch the body language of Nwora and Perry when things go sideways. You can tell immediately things aren’t going like they want. What are they going to do in March when the pressure intensifies? They went 9-21 from the freaking free throw line with most of them being your older guys. The two veteran guys take incredibly difficult shots at moments they needed quality shots. A veteran weakly position himself for a rebound only to give up a offensive rebound to a kid that wanted it more. They almost lose at the buzzer because a veteran doesn’t block out his guy. Maybe if he tries to put a body on him the freshman makes a mistake in going over the back.

Great teams win a bunch of games by simply doing the little things better. Here is the thing Louisville isn’t beating better teams with talent alone because they don’t have better talent. They have to do the little things well. That requires mental toughness. We are in year 2 and that is still an issue with this group.

Alot of my same thoughts i'll just add this i'm not worried going forward with next years team. As some are fretting because all those freshman we have were recruited by Mack specifically. Players he expects to be able to fall into the \mindset he covets. He is still playing with players that he inherited trying to mold their games into what he wants is a difficult task .

 

[rockycard]

You shouldn't hate to say it. Needs to be said.

This

 

[rockycard]

As bad as we played, if we hit just 60% from the line we win in Rupp. There are no moral victories, but we played like shit and still had a chance at a road win.

 

[Cue Card]

This team needs more players who play like Sutton. He's not the most talented guy on the floor but you can always count on his toughness and heart. He competes no matter what.

I am at a loss as to why Nwora played so poorly. I know he got some no calls but still, his lack of toughness is what bothers me most. He didn't compete. He quit. The team played a lot better as a team when he was sitting next to the coach. He has to figure out how to play team basketball or he needs to sit. Simple as that.

 

[glassmanJ]

Everyone has an off day but Nwora ought to be forced to watch tape of Damien Lee at Rupp Arena in Dec 2015. .

btw did you see Lee dominate for the Warriors on Chrsitmas day, i think he had 23 and 15

 

[rockycard]

A big negative was having 10 days in between our las two games, hopefully that NEVER happens again!

 

[shadow force]

A big negative was having 10 days in between our las two games, hopefully that NEVER happens again!

Speaking of long breaks there is also a week off before playing the next game against Florida St. which seems weird.

 

[rockycard]

Speaking of long breaks there is also a week off before playing the next game against Florida St. which seems weird.

Odd scheduling imo