WBB Notches Top 5 Win
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| UConn assistant Chris Daley from the first game UConn and Standford. |
Here are my thoughts post game.
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| Coach Walz and OSU's Kevin McGuff pre-game |
The only issue was that Durr was a bit of a ghost offensively in the fourth quarter, scoring only two points. However, she made up for it in overtime and Louisville wouldn't have been even close to where they were without her. The rest of the team stepped up when she struggled and Louisville got out with a win.
The next part is the worst, in my opinion. I'm so sick of the tired trope that referees don't want to decide the game with a foul call on the final play. If it's a clear foul, call the foul. If the opposing team doesn't want the game decided at the line, they shouldn't aggressively foul. Dana Evans was driving toward the basket with the clock running down and a chance to win the game when she was clearly hip checked and tripped to the floor. The referee made a signal to call the foul, then went to call a travel, then waved off the play as time had expired. What. A. Joke. At least Louisville was able to win the overtime comfortably and prevent more madness at the end of the game.
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| Sam in the red plaid coat (and part of my finger...) |
Last night's game was a welcome return to form for a Louisville team that looked a bit out of sorts in the second half of their 40 point win on Friday. SEMO offered no real opposition and Louisville made the kind of mistakes that would lose them games throughout the season. There were still silly mistakes in yesterday's game but the Cards were able to overcome them for a huge victory over a top ranked team. Ohio State will still be a title contender going forward, but I think Louisville has now shown that they should be on everyone's radar as well.
Listen to:
Listen to:
The CASE Report
C-Care: Care is for how well the Cards take care of the ball. How many turnovers did they commit? Louisville's benchmark for this will be single digit turnovers. It is conservative, but 9 or fewer turnovers with less turnovers than the opponent seems like it would warrant a capital letter. Unfortunately, Louisville committed 16 turnovers last night. Ohio State committed only 14. No letter.
A-Assists: I could easily use assist ratio here as well, and it may morph into that, as I think AR is a better indicator of how well a team was sharing the ball. Either way, let's just use a raw number today. I think 15 assists is a good number, and I say this without having looked at the Cards' assists for the game yet. Coincidentally, opening my other tab shows me Louisville finished with 15 assists on the nose. OSU had 18. Lowercase "a".
S-Steals: Louisville's basketball programs have built a name for themselves defensively. Shot blockers and ball hasslers are major players for the Cards. Five steals will be the benchmark. Louisville earned only 2 to OSU's 8. No letter.
E-Efficiency: Shot efficiency will be the final category here. If you're shooting well, and you're outshooting the opponent, there's a good chance you can win the game. I struggled between making the benchmark 40% or 45% but I think the Cards have the offense to consistently shoot well, so we'll go strong with 45%. 45 out of 100 shots doesn't sound great, but as a team in game situations, I'll take it. Louisville shot 49.3% compared to OSU's 46%. A capital "E" for efficiency.
That gives Louisville a _-a-_-E in the inaugural CASE Report.
There is clear room for improvement, but against a top 5 team, struggles are allowed. After all, wins
trump all. Louisville is back in action tomorrow (not November 24th as the Louisville athletics site would have you believe) in their second matchup in the WNIT. The Cards will take on Toledo at 7PM. The game is available on ACCNETWORKEXTRA if you aren't able to make it to the Yum! Center.
Asia Durr.
A historic afternoon.
(Today's WBB pictures by Paulie and his wonderfully out-dated Samsung Galaxy 3 cellular device)
There is clear room for improvement, but against a top 5 team, struggles are allowed. After all, wins
Asia Durr.
A historic afternoon.
(Today's WBB pictures by Paulie and his wonderfully out-dated Samsung Galaxy 3 cellular device)
Volleyball Stays Atop ACC with Sweep
As I mentioned on the radio show, with Louisville and NC State both having already played Pitt, Friday's game between the Cards and Wolfpack will knock the loser out of the running for the ACC championship (considering all other parties win out). The game against the Wolfpack is huge, and I can't help but think the Cards may have been looking ahead a bit while playing the lower tier Hokies.
Louisville hit .320 in the match overall, which is pretty good, and were mostly consistent throughout the match. They hit only .206 in the third set, but actually won that set by their largest margin of the match as the Hokies hit only .047 in the third. Errors were a bit of a bugaboo for the Cards in this one, with at least 4 in every set, but they were bailed out by VT just not being very good. So many errors will come back to bite the Cards in bigger matches, so let's get back to seeing matches like Friday, when the Cards had 4 errors all match.
Amanda Green was yesterday's box score filler as she led the team in kills with 13. She added an ace and 2 blocks to fill out her day. Add all that to a .345 hitting percentage for the match and it's clear that she put together a solid day. Wilma Rivera was, as usual, the leader in assists, and Molly Sauer led the way on defense. Melanie McHenry struggled offensively, hitting only .095 with 7 kills, but she added 9 digs and has definitely rounded her game out from last season.A delightfully overacheiving squad. No one picked Louisville to finish atop the ACC in the preseason. New coach. Some excellent seniors graduated. Transfers. Look at the standings.
Case
Case, we were in Columbus for the game. A few comments about your article...
ReplyDeleteWe were sitting behind the Louisville bench. Durr looked gassed at the end of regulation. Her shots were coming up short. But somehow she dug deep and dominated in the overtime.
It was not Durr who passed the ball to MHA for the layup that got blocked late in regulation - it was Jazmine Jones. Jones played an overall good game but made two or three bad decisions late in the fourth quarter.
As regards assists - Cards had fewer than usual primarily because Durr was amazing in her ability to create her own shots. But I'm giving the capital "A" because in the second half and in overtime the Cards recognized OSU's defense and got the ball inside several times for key baskets from Fuehring and MHA.
Much to like about this one.
Mike,
DeleteI hope you enjoyed the game! Thanks for keeping me straight about the penultimate play in regulation. I couldn't remember who had the ball for sure and play-by-play doesn't tell me who made the pass.
I agree about the assists. Durr was largely creating for herself. The two teams tied in assists in the second half, with OSU out assisting 9-7 in the first and 1-0 in the OT period.
As you said, much to like about the game. The team showed a lot of promise and it should be an exciting season!
Great win!! Can’t say enough about Asia, but came away impressed with the chemistry and execution of this team this early in the season. Sam Fuehring was CJW’s vote for most improved over the summer and she’s really playing well so far. Six charges taken?! I think the assumption was that Mavunga for OSU was going to clearly get the better of that match up and Sam came ready to play.
ReplyDeleteOn that play at the end of the game where Jazz threw MHA the ball and she got hit, yeah that was a blown call, but we have to be better at end of the game execution. We were up and OSU would have needed to foul to extend the game. As a senior MHA has to know to pull that ball out and let either OSU foul or burn the clock. The last play in regulation, we know that was a blown call. I like the freshman blowing past the all American Kelsey Mitchell to make try and make a play at the end. I hope someone on the staff reassured her that she made the right play. She looked a little discouraged afterwards, but we need her to stay aggressive and attacking. She’s played well these first two games and she’s only going to get better with more games under her belt.
I like how this team looks so far. Of course it’s super early, but the team looks improved and the chemistry looks better. With a shorter roster everyone is going to get a chance to play and there won’t be players sitting there languishing on the bench. Addition by subtraction seems to be the theme of the team this year
I don't think that MHA got fouled on that layup. The play happened right in front of us live at the arena and it looked like a clean block. I've watched the replay a few times and still don't really see a foul.
DeleteI don't blame MHA for that play - Jones is the one who should have pulled the ball out. Maybe MHA shouldn't have sprinted for the goal, but once Jones threw her the ball she had no choice but to shoot the layup.
Like you, I was much impressed by Evans's ability to blow by Mitchell and get to the goal on that last play of regulation. Clearly a blown call - the referee started to call a foul and then swallowed her whistle.
Evans and Jones give this teem something they've lacked for a number of years - quickness.
Even with Durr scoring 47, Fuehring gets co-MVP from me.
I think she got hit down low. The block was clean I agree. But I think Mavunga got the body. Rewatched it a few times. Agree with you on the other points.
DeleteNice piece Case - Great to see Volleyball doing so well. Hope they keep it up.
ReplyDeleteGreat Win over the Buckeyes! It's hard to remember the last time WBB took down a higher rated club, particularly in the Top 5. Haven't felt this good about a win since the Baylor / Tennessee / Cal run in the NCAAs years ago. We've been consistently getting punked by Top 5 clubs in the interim so this sends a great message.
Impressed with the maturity of MHA...tons of growth over the years. She's Solid.
I wasn't able to watch the game but checked the box score. I've made no secret about my concerns with Carter at the point. Based on the numbers 36 minutes with 33% field goal shooting / 50% free throw shooting / Zero Assists / Zero Steals and 4 fouls it doesn't look very good. If she has become a shut down defender that may explain some of the stat line. So I'm looking for feedback from folks that went to the game about Carter.
Also interested in Shook...are her limited minutes due to her ongoing injury recovery or is it just performance based?
Burn
Carter was a vocal leader - you could see that from our seats behind the bench. She did play good defense during the first half, but otherwise she was pretty much invisible except for the big three that she hit in the second half.
DeleteEvans really impressed me with her speed, defense and confidence. I think she'll end up being on the floor at PG during cruch time.
Not sure about Shook - she looks mobile to me but she is wearing that brace on her calf. She did miss a fast-break layup in the second half but I think maybe she didn't play much because the other bigs (MHA and Fuehring) were playing so well. We'll find out more about that this week in the WNIT games.
Because of the stress reaction in her leg, they're limiting minutes for Kylee.
DeletePaulie
Jaz is learning. I felt like she improved off the SEMO game. Sam F is really making an impact. Her willingness to grind on defense will be key to us having a great season. Love the work she is putting in. Myisha, Miss Double-Double, has also put in the work. Early season a year ago she would never have been able to put in the minutes she did yesterday without significant drop off at the end.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to these next couple games as the bench will get some good minutes to grow in game experience. Lots of talent on this team and we will need everyone dialed in and sharp come ACC play and tournament time.
When sean Moth claims that Yum is the world's most spectacular arena, it is no joke. As short as I am, I still had issue with my knees hitting the seat in front of me. Cramped conditions and a failed seating arrangement by UofL prompted us to move cross court and front row seats ... Leg room and a great view. Brutus the Buckeye didn't much appreciate my courtside UofL support but we had fun taunting each other at most every break. A cheerleader even tried to win me over with a Ohio St shirt. The kid near us loved it when I tossed it to him. :)
You're right about the seats - I'm 5-6 and my knees kept banging into the cup holders. My three traveling companions are each 6-1 or taller and they were very uncomfortable.
DeleteI was surprised that the few Cardinal fans were spread out across two big sections of seats.
If you remember the email UofL promised we would all be together in section 105. When I got my tickets they said 106. I assumed it was because so many Cardinal fans signed up they had filled the section only to arrive and see the majority of 105 OH St fans. Heard several other disgruntled fans, but I always look at a seat assignment as a mere suggestion ;)
DeletePS I have a bruise on my knee from the cup holder. #NationwideHatesKnees
Place is normally used as a Ice Hockey rink. Whether that has anything to do with seating configuration or not, who knows, but we were jammed in like sardines in a can on Media Row and I had a table leg jammed into my side for both games.
DeletePaulie
We were disappointed in the seating as well. From the poor placement of the U of L fans to the cramped conditions. I think I still have indentations on my knees from the seat in front of me. It was also very uncomfortable when anyone had to get up to go to the concession stand or bathroom. Pretty pitiful choice of arena for the final four this year.
DeleteI contacted the university to see if tickets were going to be available for the IU game but was told that I would have to purchase tickets from IU as U of L would not be receiving an allotment for that game. That is also very disappointing but we are still going.
Great stuff today, all. Adding a few pictures from my trip to Columbus andd Nationwide. In typical Paulie fashion (Which way did he go, George...which way did he go?) I missed my turn going up there and ended up at the Ohio State football stadium on campus! Thanks to the nice lady at the coffee shop for getting me straightened out.
ReplyDeleteHisses to Ohio State for Media parking. I was in a garage adjacent to the Nationwide Arena but has to traverse three set of stairs going in which ultimately (today) is playing havoc on my knee. I got a break leaving when a kind security went and got his golf cart and drove me (in the rain) to my car.
I am still in shock over Durr and this win. In-creDurr-able !
Paulie
I saw a Sean Moth tweet - #DURRIFIC
DeleteI may just get some T-shirts made up with that on them.
Bastard! I was saying that last year. Should have gotten a patent or something! I also use #incredurrable
DeleteI guess he'll steal that also. LOLOL
Paulie
I agree with Mike D on the "foul" of MHA. I have watched the replay numerous times and I don't see a foul there. BTW case, If you are waiting for the team to make 10 or less turnovers, I wouldn't hold your breath. With the up tempo kind of game we play ,it will be nearly impossible not to have more than that. I think you might want to tweak your scale a bit. But we shall see.
ReplyDeleteNot shocked at all about ANY of this, from Durr going off to Sam's very solid game. Myesha didn't get fouled, any contact was incidental AFTER Mavunga had creamed that shot. Shouldn't have passed her the ball, but her, as the senior, still should have pulled it out and played keep away for as long as possible, make them chase the ball trying to foul. Unfortunate circumstance that ultimately didn't hurt. Impressed with Dana, gonna be very productive this season. And not worried about Carter's, or anyone else's numbers, Durr had the ball the vast majority of the time on offense. There were, however, several timely passes and made shots by others. It's been awhile since we had a team that STARTED the season like this, the block outs and rebounding were solid, as was following the game plan. They were ALL dialed in.
ReplyDeleteI've had tickets since 2006 and I have never seen a team start this well.
DeleteI'd say the team that only lost to UCONN all season had a start like this team.
DeleteFRED REPORT:
ReplyDeleteFree Throws. 11-14 78.6%. Give 'em the capital F.
Rebounding. A commanding 47-29. BIG OL' CAPITAL R
Effort/Execution. Small case "e". Durr yes, letting Ohio State back into it at the end of each quarter was not good
Defense. Can't award a letter on giving up 90 points.
Final FRED report:
F-R-e-_
Paulie
Paulie, I'll quibble with your ratings just a little.
DeleteI'll make it an upper case "E" - I'll gave Durr, Fuehring and Hines-Allen stellar grades for effort. And Evans showed me a lot, especially in the first half. I'll give Cards a pass for letting OSU back into the game in the second quarter - #25 was on the bench after that bogus foul call. Plus, OSU is a legitimately good team - you expect good teams to make runs at you.
And, even though OSU scored 90 I'll give a small "d" because of the first-half defense on Mitchell and the great interior defense throughout the game.
Fair enough. Case started his own letter rating. Maybe you could provide us a "M.I.K.E." after games. You make good observations and plenty of Mike pictures out there to accompany it.
DeletePaulie
Tina Napier was the officiating crew head. From Perry County, KY. She was Walz barely shook hands before the game. Just sayin'
ReplyDeleteReally bad form on her part to raise her arm for the foul call and then swallow the whistle.
DeleteAgreed. Call it or don't but don't half call it and back down.
DeleteWas worried we would be starting the OT with them shooting technicals. Walz was hit
Hot
DeleteWalz was ready to launch off a NASA rocket pad as hot as he was.
DeletePaulie
Cards playing team basketball great effort good defense.
ReplyDeleteGo Cards!!
Wow, Basketball season rolls around and you all turn into real chatty Cathy's.
ReplyDeleteNo complaints, love to see the community in action!
Side note on Volleyball, they finally are starting to get a little bit of coach's poll respect, in the "Receiving Votes" category today. It's a step in the right direction, and wins next week hopefully will get us up into the formal rankings.
We can agree to disagree on the foul. I saw it as a foul, Some of you didn’t. Cool. Point lost in all this was Myisha shouldn’t have taken that shot. You pull the ball out and run clock or fonce them to put you on the line, you don’t have the following sequence with Mitchell getting fouled and going to the line. Thank god she missed a free throw.
ReplyDeleteI’m not saying this as a criticism at all. Just pointing out that hopefully in end of game sequences to come the ladies will be more mindful. That was a heck of a game and don’t want to spoil it quibbling over phantom or not phantom fouls and clock management. Women’s basketball ended the season last year with a great game and we start the year off with another one. Anyone who doesn’t know by now that women’s basketball is the real deal, I don’t know what to tell them.
Real as is gets.
DeletePaulie
Walz show coming up in a few on 93.9 FM locally. 7 p.m. From Chili's. I wonder if he'll bring Asia and/or Myisha?
ReplyDeletePaulie