How can UL fans still delude themselves after last night?

[IL Wildcat]

Ok, I don't want slam Kentucky Wesleyan too hard. They are a good team for their level, without question. But when I look at this box score, I'm thinking I'd be terrified if I were a Louisville fan. Yes, the Cards won by 9. Western Kentucky beat KY Wesleyan by 7 in what was essentially the same game 3 days earlier. The final score in the WKU game was 75-68. The final score in the UL game was 77-68. Both games were true road games for Kentucky Wesleyan.

Some other things that should jump out to a thinking fan...
1. The UL offense was very poor.
41% from the field. 28% from 3. 13 assists and 13 turnovers.
2. UL's top 2 players in minutes played are both grad transfers.
What happened to Pitino developing players from within the program to step in when others are gone? Recruiting is further down the last 2 years than some want to admit. Maybe they stopped the hookers for recruits too soon.
3. Damion Lee, UL's apparent best player, is woefully inefficient.
He played more minutes (31) and took more shots (17) than anyone, but he went 6-17 and 1-7 from 3.
4. UL only won the rebounding battle by 2, 42-40.
That is despite the fact the Cards started and played 2 seven footers the entire game.

Now, I'm sure these are just jitters and also equally sure that Kentucky Wesleyan would likely beat 90% of D1 teams if they played tomorrow (sarcasm), but some of these things should bother UL fans. The fact that a bracketology released today has UL in the NIT and that this growing scandal could envelope the Cards as the season progresses may mean nothing to UL fans, but anyone with eyes can see this team isn't one of Rick's best, despite what he told his players. When will the delusion cease? Maybe never.

 

[LouievileKat]

Why bother with last night? They got blasted overseas this summer every night by teams full of D-League drop outs.

 

[UK till Death]

Reality will be slapping them upside their collective bird brains soon enough.

They're gonna drop 1-2 of their cupcakes.

Playing UK is gonna be a big shock to their senses in Rupp.

 

[CatPhight]

 

[Clive Gollings]

^That might be their most efficient shooting.

 

[tmuck]

They are doo doo brown. They're giddy about their team, because they're using it as a coping mechanism to try and make themselves feel better about the probation coming.

 

[DrH. Lecter]

I was shocked as to how bad they look. They have bad body language on the floor and frankly don't seem to care very much. Like them or not...and I didn't....Harrell, Rozier and Jones had a basketball heart and wanted to win. There do not seem to be many guys with an NBA draft shot or passing the eye test.

 

[GLR5555]

I wonder when Rick is going to unveil those 7-8 NBA players. I'm sure they could contribute.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

The Yum has become the new Cameron Indoor....... UL will get bailed out until they win those cup cake games. Bet dollars to donuts Papa Johns sponsoring the NCAA has something to do with it.

 

[JC for 3]

....but RP said there's "7 or 8" future NBA-ers on that roster!

 

[ymmot31]

I was laughing at them last night. I'm laughing at them right now.

 

[Wildcat-in-STL]

Louisville looks like one of those decent mid major teams. I like a few of their freshmen but they won't play much at all this year against good competition. The rest of them are Mid major players. I mean their two best players are literally mid major players. lol

 

[WeWant9]

Because they're UL fans, and they know nothing about basketball. They just cling to whatever Pitino says, and according to him this team is chalk full of his best talent ever. Pitino plays that fanbase like a fiddle.

 

[Re2126]

....but RP said there's "7 or 8" future NBA-ers on that roster!

He left out some important descriptors. Should be 7-8 future NBA towel boys.

 

[bigbluelou]

I rather enjoy their illusions of grandeur. Makes their inevitable fall and subsequent disappointment that much more spectacular.

 

[JWat_]

Some other things that should jump out to a thinking fan...

There's your first mistake.

Their entire belief system has always seemingly had little to do with the players and their performance. In their mind, they have Rick Pitino on the sideline, and that's good enough to be able to beat anyone on any given day. Rick Pitino makes average talent championship contenders - and to their credit, sometimes he does.

No further thoughts solicited or required.

 

[Brando Mac]

They have many years of experience when it comes to deluding themselves, whether it be about their players and coaches on-the-court abilities or off-the-court character concerns involving players/coaches/Jurich/Ramsey/finest local hoochies, so nothing they are able to convince themselves of really surprises me anymore.

 

[Kycatspaws]

Deluding themselves is what they do best. Without those delusions, Cardinal fans would cease to function.

 

[FlCATFan]

The Card fans won't be happy when it finally dawns on them that Rick is currently doing to them exactly what Katina and company were doing to the recruits and players earlier. The only difference being that Rick is charging much, much more for the screwing they're getting.

 

[UKWildcatT]

Ok, I don't want slam Kentucky Wesleyan too hard. They are a good team for their level, without question. But when I look at this box score, I'm thinking I'd be terrified if I were a Louisville fan. Yes, the Cards won by 9. Western Kentucky beat KY Wesleyan by 7 in what was essentially the same game 3 days earlier. The final score in the WKU game was 75-68. The final score in the UL game was 77-68. Both games were true road games for Kentucky Wesleyan.

Some other things that should jump out to a thinking fan...
1. The UL offense was very poor.
41% from the field. 28% from 3. 13 assists and 13 turnovers.
2. UL's top 2 players in minutes played are both grad transfers.
What happened to Pitino developing players from within the program to step in when others are gone? Recruiting is further down the last 2 years than some want to admit. Maybe they stopped the hookers for recruits too soon.
3. Damion Lee, UL's apparent best player, is woefully inefficient.
He played more minutes (31) and took more shots (17) than anyone, but he went 6-17 and 1-7 from 3.
4. UL only won the rebounding battle by 2, 42-40.
That is despite the fact the Cards started and played 2 seven footers the entire game.

Now, I'm sure these are just jitters and also equally sure that Kentucky Wesleyan would likely beat 90% of D1 teams if they played tomorrow (sarcasm), but some of these things should bother UL fans. The fact that a bracketology released today has UL in the NIT and that this growing scandal could envelope the Cards as the season progresses may mean nothing to UL fans, but anyone with eyes can see this team isn't one of Rick's best, despite what he told his players. When will the delusion cease? Maybe never.

A friend told me before the season that Lee will get twenty points (which UofL fans will brag about),but it will take him 20+ shots to get 20

 

[Big Foot 275]

CBS bracketology must not have gotten the memo about all the NBA players Pitino had on
this team. They left them out of the tournament.

 

[Big Foot 275]

A friend told me before the season that Lee will get twenty points (which UofL fans will brag about),but it will take him 20+ shots to get 20

If his shooting last night is an indication your friend is dead on.

 

[GLR5555]

If his shooting last night is an indication your friend is dead on.

That dude shoots quicker than Rick himself.

 

[IL Wildcat]

....but RP said there's "7 or 8" future NBA-ers on that roster!

I know what he said, but who really sees that on the floor for them? I'm being totally serious. UK fans have seen a few NBA types over the last few seasons. We've even seen some guys who were not quite there, more like tweeners or d-league guys. Who on this Louisville team is a sure thing in the NBA? I can't name one right now. So, who is the closest thing to one? I don't think Damion Lee is one. Perhaps one of their big men after he develops a bit more?

 

[Mojocat]

Admittedly, i didn't see any of the UofL game last night. So maybe they stink. But I think of 2012, for example, when they looked putrid for much of the year, especially on offense - losing on Senior Night against South Florida 9-7, or whatever it was. And then a month later in the final four. Some of that is good coaching, credit due. Some of it is the kamikaze rugby defense they play - which hopefully will be phased out by officials this year. Point is, they've looked horrible before and ended up doing well. They've also looked horrible before and ended up being horrible.....

 

[GLR5555]

I know what he said, but who really sees that on the floor for them? I'm being totally serious. UK fans have seen a few NBA types over the last few seasons. We've even seen some guys who were not quite there, more like tweeners or d-league guys. Who on this Louisville team is a sure thing in the NBA? I can't name one right now. So, who is the closest thing to one? I don't think Damion Lee is one. Perhaps one of their big men after he develops a bit more?

I think the one wearing the black spandex (Adel) I believe it was. He appears to me to have the most upside.

 

[IL Wildcat]

I think the one wearing the black spandex (Adel) I believe it was. He appears to me to have the most upside.

You may be right GLR5555. He does appear to have some potential.

 

[FlCATFan]

Does Rick have another "Unforgettables" season in him?

 

[Blueisbest]

If UofLol played any kind of decent pre-conference schedule they would be lucky to finish .500 for the season. As it is they will get demoralized by UK and MSU when they play them. They will likely drop one or two of their cupcake games. Once their conference starts they will be lucky to win 6 or 7 games. They will finish about 18-13 and get an NIT bid.

 

[Desperado_1955]

....but RP said there's "7 or 8" future NBA-ers on that roster!

NBA for them means "No Basketball Abilities"

 

[NavyKat]

Gonna be a looooooooooong year in Jefferson County. Lots of Crown and Cokes being thrown back and lots of tattoo removals.

 

[jr40831]

It's not how the team performs, it's what Pitino says that they believe. He's the fuhrer.

 

[Blue Bigfoot]

When David Levitch appears to be your most dynamic score.....
Honestly, I'm sure Rick will coach them up some as the season progresses, but they look like a bubble team right now, if not NIT bound. I swear Onuaku, was called for a moving pick, not once but 3 times!

 

[TheTruCatsFan]

Does Rick have another "Unforgettables" season in him?

Nah, I think they'll be more like the "Forgettables"

 

[CatPhight]

It's not how the team performs, it's what Pitino says that they believe. He's the fuhrer.

Der Fuhrer - Mein Skank

 

[UKvisitor]

That was the thought that ran thru my mind:
"Deluding themselves is what they do best. Without those delusions, Cardinal fans would cease to function.

"


But mind was more on this line of thought:

 

[Dirk2Bowie]

All we need to know is that Derek Willis would be the best player on UL's team this year and all they have talked about for two years is how he has wasted his time here and will never improve or see time. They have very little knowledge of the game and even less about their own teams abilities, but they are apparently qualified to critique our players. Delusional.

 

[CatPhight]

 

[ymmot31]

I believe it would add another layer of humor if we could all refer to him as HOFCRP from now on.

 

[UKvisitor]

I believe it would add another layer of humor if we could all refer to him as HOFCRaP from now on.

I fixed it somewhat.