Louisville basketball all but solidified its position in the NCAA Tournament with a win at Duke on Saturday night. Immediate take aways after the game.
Louisville basketball just swept Duke. The Cards survived as 37 point barrage from Matthew Hurt.
Let’s get right to it.
Carlik Jones is unbelievable
Carlik Jones had 25 points, 6 rebounds, and four assists. And, also, I love him.
“He continues to play with that chip on his shoulder,” Louisville head coach Chris Mack said. “His teammates love him, and he is a great player.”
I feel like we had a streak of like 8 games in December and January where we waxed poetic about Carlik Jones in the postgame. However, this game was his magnum opus.
Jones was unreal. He wanted and got the ball in his hands on every possession down the stretch. Jones got into the lane on every half court possession but one in the final four minutes and overtime. Jones was in his bag around the basket and he was able to create for others. However, when his teammates looked to him, he delivered.
Carlik Jones is the best transfer in Louisville basketball history. It’s official.
Louisville basketball responded
“We responded. Last year, we responded with a veteran team…. I’m just really excited,” Mack said.
Louisville took some punches in stride. Duke, at one point, had a 13-2 run in the second half. The Blue Devils got some favorable whistles. The Cards lost Malik Williams for the night with 15 minutes left in regulation. David Johnson was in foul trouble the entire second half. Johnson rode the bench for quite a bit of the final two segments. Then he fouled out with two minutes remaining.
“David’s gotta make better decisions… He’s gotta do better,” Mack said. “I’m not going to mince words. He’s gotta do better.”
Mack went on to emphasize that Johnson has really only participated in two practices in the last month.
Then, Jae’Lyn Withers fouled out just a minute into overtime.
“I think that says a lot about you when you can battle through some tough moments,” Mack said. “This team is learning that.”
Samuell Williamson has changed Louisville basketball
“Everybody’s path is different,” Mack said of forward Samuell Williamson. “Sam had to go through some things.”
Williamson went through some growing pains early this year. However, he has looked outstanding for the entire month of February. The sophomore finished with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 assists, including multiple rebounds that led to extra possessions and a tip out that gave Louisville a look at the buzzer in regulation.
“Nobody puts in more time than Sam,” said Mack. “Our team practices, he’s already been there twice. And, if it wasn’t for COVID, he’d be there a fourth time.”
Player of the game: Carlik Jones
Sixth man of the game: Quinn Slazinski. The clutch three to start overtime was the metaphorical Xanax we all needed.
Play of the game: David Johnson just makes sexy plays at Duke.
Fans of the game:
Hopefully this is a better video from me. 😉.
— Chris Mack (@CoachChrisMack) February 28, 2021
Go Cards! Proud of my guys. #TTU pic.twitter.com/fffXBAw6Eb
That’s cute as hell.
Let’s freaking GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. More to come.
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