***** Matt Cross spark off the bench
Cross didn't start, but he played 26 minutes, and gave Louisville a much-needed shot in the arm. In 26 minutes, Cross scored 15 points, but it was more than the scoring that gave Louisville a lift. The energy, hustle, and winning plays from Cross were invaluable.
***** Noah Locke timely shot-making
Noah Locke wasn't perfect, but he came through when Louisville had to have a bucket. Locke finished with a team-high 16 points on three triples. Locke provides Louisville with an outside-shooting threat that wasn't there last season.
***** Sam Williamson attacking the glass
Williamson has taken a lot of criticism through his first two years at Louisville, but one thing you can't question is his effort on the backboards. We saw this towards the end of last year, and once again, Williamson was very active rebounding the ball. He totaled 14 points and 14 rebounds for double-double number one.
***** Louisville's bigs
Sydney Curry, Malik Williams, Jae'Lyn Withers, and JJ Traynor have to be better. Withers only played 12 minutes and was in foul trouble most of the game. Traynor only played two minutes, and is the odd man out at the moment. Sydney Curry was fine in 14 minutes of action. Malik Williams didn't start, but played 24 minutes.
***** Rotation and lineups
Louisville has to settle on a starting lineup, one that should probably feature Cross and Williamson. Depth-wise, playing 11 guys is great. But, ideally the rotation should be 8-9 at most.
Cross didn't start, but he played 26 minutes, and gave Louisville a much-needed shot in the arm. In 26 minutes, Cross scored 15 points, but it was more than the scoring that gave Louisville a lift. The energy, hustle, and winning plays from Cross were invaluable.
***** Noah Locke timely shot-making
Noah Locke wasn't perfect, but he came through when Louisville had to have a bucket. Locke finished with a team-high 16 points on three triples. Locke provides Louisville with an outside-shooting threat that wasn't there last season.
***** Sam Williamson attacking the glass
Williamson has taken a lot of criticism through his first two years at Louisville, but one thing you can't question is his effort on the backboards. We saw this towards the end of last year, and once again, Williamson was very active rebounding the ball. He totaled 14 points and 14 rebounds for double-double number one.
***** Louisville's bigs
Sydney Curry, Malik Williams, Jae'Lyn Withers, and JJ Traynor have to be better. Withers only played 12 minutes and was in foul trouble most of the game. Traynor only played two minutes, and is the odd man out at the moment. Sydney Curry was fine in 14 minutes of action. Malik Williams didn't start, but played 24 minutes.
***** Rotation and lineups
Louisville has to settle on a starting lineup, one that should probably feature Cross and Williamson. Depth-wise, playing 11 guys is great. But, ideally the rotation should be 8-9 at most.
