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Louisville Basketball: 5 Encouraging Takeaways After The Notre Dame Loss

By Derek Snyder

Jan 4, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Anas Mahmoud (14) and guard Donovan Mitchell (45) look toward their bench in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Anas Mahmoud (14) and guard Donovan Mitchell (45) look toward their bench in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Steve Vasturia (32) shoots a three point basket as Louisville Cardinals forward Ray Spalding (13) defends in the first half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Steve Vasturia (32) shoots a three point basket as Louisville Cardinals forward Ray Spalding (13) defends in the first half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Louisville’s Perimeter Defense Was Actually Pretty Darn Solid

When you go against a team like Notre Dame, they’re just flat-out going to get their points, but the key is making it difficult for them. While the Cardinals did make life hard on the Fighting Irish, they made things even easier by sending them to the free throw line much too often.

I don’t think I need to remind anyone that the Irish are the best free throw shooting team in America right?

With that being said, Notre Dame is averaging just over 10 three pointers made per game, however they only hit five against the Cards.

The good news is that Louisville is showing that they can shut down great scoring teams like Kentucky, Indiana, and Notre Dame.

The biggest difference in this game was that the Irish found more way to get to the free throw line. Therefore, don’t be too upset Cardinals fans, Louisville will get to play Notre Dame one more time in the KFC Yum Center in March.

Next: 25 Greatest Louisville Football players from the past decade

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