Cards Open Season With Win; Look Ahead

Mark BlankenbakerNovember 13, 2015

Louisville Basketball took home the “W” on Friday evening to open the 2015-16 basketball season. It was predictable against a Samford team that lacked size. The Bulldogs held in early by crashing the offensive glass, but once the Cards covered that up….it was over.

It was the 21st win in a season opener in 23. Rick Pitino is now 27-3 when opening the season as a head coach. But what his Cards did was surprise this observer. Louisville hit shots: 53.6% from the floor and 46.7% from 3. And even though the Cards are youthful they played fantastic defense limiting Samford to just 21% from the floor.

Everyone played and the Cards looked the best they have since we saw this group come together over the summer in Puerto Rico, through the Red/White games, and through Exhibition season.

That’s probably going to happen a lot with this team. At times they may look like they did tonight. A major contender. Other times they may appear as if anyone could give them a game. That’s what happens with new & young players. But tonight, it was the other extreme….it was good. It was way better than expected and to start the season that well should demonstrate to the fanbase how much potential UofL Basketball has in 2015-16.

We understand its Samford, but Louisville executed better than it has in the many opportunities the public has been able to watch. Coming up, Louisville faces Hartford who just beat Central Connecticut State on the road tonight by 9 and will face St. Louis this week. But the big test appears to come next Saturday when North Florida comes to the Yum! Center after THUMPING Illinois on its home court tonight.

There is a lot of potential in this Louisville basketball team and it will get its first true test next Saturday vs. the Ospreys of North Florida. That’s when we’ll really learn something about this team.