Louisville basketball narrowly escapes pesky Seton Hall squad. Some immediate impressions from the win.
Louisville basketball pulled ahead by double digits in the second half, only to rely on some unexpected helpers to pull away late against Seton Hall on Friday.
It was one thing to look dominant against a mid-major Evansville program. How they performed against a dangerous Seton Hall squad would be much more telling in regards to the state of the Louisville basketball program.
When Kevin Willard’s program was added to the Louisville basketball bubble last month, there was a lot of excitement about adding a team that’s won 20-plus games in each of the last five seasons. Although the team entered the bubble under less than ideal circumstances on the heels of a 14-day program pause following a positive COVID test, they still gave Chris Mack’s team a solid test early on.
The Pirates did not look like a team on the heels of an awkward lay-off playing its first game of the season. Instead, they pressured the Cardinals and owned the glass early on.
However, Carlik Jones stepped up in a major way, and multiple youngsters made game-altering plays to help Louisville basketball move to 2-0 on the season.
Carlik Jones is the MVP once again
For the second game in a row, Carlik Jones flirted with a triple double, finishing the game with 18 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and a steal in 40 minutes of play.
There is a lot of young talent on this team playing above expectations, but Jones is the glue holding everything together.
Also, if leading the team in rebounds, scoring, and assists for the last two games wasn’t enough, this little gem in the post-game presser was amazing.
JJ Traynor and Jae’Lyn Withers are ahead of schedule
Without Malik Williams, Louisville basketball was going to have to find a way to see production from the five spot. Through the first two games, true freshman JJ Traynor and redshirt freshman Jae’Lyn Withers are holding it down just fine.
For the second straight game, Withers started a bit shaky and Traynor looked the part in relief in the middle. After the game, Traynor commented that he did not feel he played well, but that, in the end, his “competitiveness took over.”
The quiet, well-mannered Traynor off the court is anything but when crashing the glass. His game is still a bit raw, but his athleticism and versatility have been enough for the Cards so far. In the waning moments of the game, Traynor hit a driving lay-up to give the Cards the lead, then grabbed a crucial rebound, drew a foul, and hit two free throws with 5.1 seconds left.
As for Withers, he rebounded from his slow start and saw a lot of clock interchangeably at the four and five with Traynor in the game. That duo along with Quinn Slazinkski, David Johnson, and Jones proved to be the recipe for success as the Cardinals staved off the pesky Pirates late.
Dre Davis could be next Louisville basketball star
True freshman Dre Davis was put into a tough spot when grad transfer Charles Minlend went out with an injury late in the offseason. Minlend will return around Christmas time, but in the meantime, Davis looks completely comfortable being uncomfortable in Mack’s system. Davis drew a charge in the second half while in foul trouble, altered shots consistently, and took shots comfortably throughout.
Davis had four big-time offensive rebounds, and finished with 11 points, five total boards, and a steal in 24 minutes.
A month ago if you’d have told anyone around the city of Louisville that Davis would start the first two games and average 8.5 points per, they’d have audibly laughed at you. It’s 2020 though. Crazy things are happening, and Davis is taking advantage of his opportunity.
David Johnson has to be more assertive
He had 9 points and four rebounds in 34 minutes, but David Johnson has to be more of a factor if Louisville basketball wants to reach its potential going forward.
Johnson has yielded to Jones to make plays in the backcourt, which isn’t the worst thing in the world. However, when Johnson has had the ball in advantageous positions, he has not made the right plays.
The perfect example of this occurred on a possession under a minute left. Johnson had a match-up where he could have easily gotten by his man and into the lane, but opted for a step-back three. Louisville needs Johnson to spread the floor and be a distributor. He was not against Seton Hall. I’m confident he will learn and grow from this game.
Samuell Williamson’s injury could change the season
Louisville was hanging on by a strand in the injury department. If the Cardinals go any period of time without sophomore Samuell Williamson, it may be too much to overcome.
Williamson exited the game midway through the second half with a toe injury and did not re-enter. The medical staff placed him in a boot and will further evaluate the situation.
Louisville faces Prairie View A&M on Sunday- perhaps the worst team left on the schedule. After that, the Cardinals will face a pretty brutal stretch the entire month of December.
If the Cardinals are without Williamson, they realistically go seven players deep including Aidan Igiehon, who only played 5 minutes against the Pirates.
With no Williamson, Williams, Minlend, or Josh Nickelberry, it will be tough sledding for the Cardinals.
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