Yes, Basketball Season is Here

UofL Red/White Game

Finally basketball season has arrived in the city of Louisville. The Krag can only take away so much optimism before Rick Pitino shows up with his outlandish claims, statements, and optimism (sometimes pessimism). Basketball is a fresh start for UofL fans that have been crushed by the football season. Anybody who followed last year's team at all has been waiting for this moment since late March.

We finally have our first glimpse of a team that is flying under the radar despite being the reigning Big East regular season and conference tournament champions. The returning players we all know, but the new impact players are sure to be just that.

Stats

RED 89 – Delk 2-5 4-6 10, Swopshire 1-5 2-4 4, Samuels 9-12 2-5 20, Sosa 8-12 3-4 25, J. Smith 3-10 1-2 8, Marra 5-8 0-0 14, Van Treese 3-4 2-2 8. Totals 31-56 14-23 89.

 

 

 

WHITE 93 – Buckles 7-13 2-2 17, Kuric 8-15 0-0 18, Goode 3-8 1-2 8, Knowles 8-14 0-0 21, Siva 6-10 8-8 21, C. Smith 1-3 0-0 2, Brickley 0-0 0-2 0, Jennings 3-8 0-0 6. Totals 36-71 11-14 93.

 

 

 

Halftime––Red 50-35. 3-point goals––Red 13-27 (Delk 2-5, Swopshire 0-1, Sosa 6-9, J. Smith 1-5, Marra 4-7), White 10-25 (Buckles 1-2, Kuric 2-5, Goode 1-4, Knowles 5-8, Siva 1-4, C. Smith 0-2). Rebounds––Red 32 (Samuels 13), White 34 (Buckles 10). Assists––Red 24 (J. Smith 6), White 24 (Knowles 8). Total Fouls––Red 13, White 20. Fouled Out––Kuric, Goode. A––10,247.

 

Notes

• Preston Knowles did nothing to damage the man-crush we have on him here at Inside the Cards, in fact, he probably made it much worse. Anybody who leaves it all on the floor in a intrasquad scrimmage should be applauded, and PK did just that. Cramping up at the very end, and being an emotional leader from the bench as time expired. Not only that, he played a huge part in leading the White team back from a rather large deficit to win the game. Preston will no doubt be the best sixth man in the country, and I'm willing to put my money on him being the starter at the 2 sooner rather than later.
• Edgar has changed his game, but he still has the same fire and spirit as always. Don't be fooled though, when the game is on the line and he's needed, he will not hesitate to pull the trigger.
• Jerry Smith makes me nervous with every pump fake and lack of taking the open shot. I hope he gets off to a good start this season, but after seeing him in the scrimmage I saw a lot of what opened up last season. Jerry, you are a huge asset to the team, a leader in every way, this is your time. 
• Samardo, TJ, and Goode are going to be a force in the post this year. We are deep at guard and center this season, I just hope the forwards can pick up the slack of missing Clark and T Will.
• Inside the Cards Prediction - Buckles will work his way into the starting five very soon, nothing against Swop, but Buckles looked like a man-child at times. If he can avoid as many freshman mistakes, then this prediction will come true. (ed. note - could this be the most obvious prediction ever? Possibly so)
• TJ dunking on Samardo, and then Samardo trying to cram in as many token dunks of his as possible was a personal highlight, just wanted to mention it.
• Peyton Siva, you might get flowers from us as the season progresses, we need to start planning ahead to two years from now when PK leaves.
• Optimism, meet reality, Pitino style.