Going into battle without it’s megawarrior Montrezl Harrell, the fourth ranked University of Louisville basketball Cardinals (11-0) hosted Cal State Northridge (3-10) Tuesday night at the KFC Yum! Center. The Cards came out on top, even without their NBA ready forward, 80-55.
The skirmish at Western Kentucky on Saturday got Harrell tossed from that game and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) added a one game suspension as well. From the numerous replays, there was no conclusive proof that he actually threw a punch. Unless you dislike the Cards. Then it was the blow that Muhammad Ali used to KO George Foreman. If you are a Cardinal partisan, it was more a NaeNae dance move.
Regardless, Louisville went into battle seemingly short handed. Until Wayne Blackshear emerged from the slumber that overtook him in Bowling Green. He started launching the ball from the opening tip. By the end of the first half, he’d already scored 23 points on 5 of 7 three point shooting. He would go 6 of 11 from distance for the game and finish with a career best 31 points 6 rebounds and 4 steals.
It looked like a near mirror image of ACC player of the week Terry Rozier who delivered his finest career performance at WKU with 32 points, including 17 straight when no other Cardinal could score. In this game, Rozier would hobble along on a bum ankle, but stayed on the floor. He would pump in a hard fought 16 points.
Coach Rick Pitino once again invited a former assistant to come back to town. CSUN coach Reggie Theus is quite familiar with the Louisville scheme and was tasked with finding a way to shut it down. He would have a head start without Harrell but his team had no answer for David Levitch.
Yes, David Levitch. In the second half, Levitch sank three of four from behind the arc. Coach Pitino called him a “big lift” and not just from his scoring but knowing where to be on the court on the right time.
The bigs continued to alter and block shots, tallying 11 in the game. However the coach wasn’t happy with their rebounding. Despite overmatching the Matadors in terms of size, the rebounding total was even at 36.
As far as perimeter defense, the Cards held CSUN to 0% from beyond the arc while also shooting a respectable 40.7%.
Newly qualified recruit Shaqquan Aaron saw some action in a limited role.
Photos by: Tim Girton/Louisville.com
