Cards Notch First Win as a Top 25 Team

PG. Louisville Cardinals. CHRISTEN CUNNINGHAM. A+. CC once again proved why he could be the most important piece to this Louisville team if they’re going to have continued success. It’s not just the 17 points he put in. It’s the leadership and the solid floor general that he is that makes this team run so efficiently when he’s on the floor. An extension of Coach Mack, can’t say enough about him.

Louisville Cardinals. KHWAN FORE. B. Once again Fore’s on ball defense was key for the Cards in getting multiple stops against the Wolfpack. His offense is still coming along, but he’s improved as a ball handler and at setting the floor when he’s needed in that area. He’s really starting to gel with the team.. SG

B-. Wayne got in a bit of foul trouble in this one, but still accounted for 10 points, including a 3 pointer in the final minutes that helped extend the lead for the Cards. As always, he did a bit of everything to help the team win, he’s such an unselfish player. Gonna need him on the floor more going forward though.. SF. Louisville Cardinals. DWAYNE SUTTON

C. After back-to-back incredible performances, Nwora turned in a bit of a dud in this one. Though he finished with 13 points, he took a lot of shots to get there, and not all of them were good. His defense seemed to take a step back at least in the first half, when NC State guard Dorn seemed to get to the basket at will. He continued to rebound well and played more unselfishly in the second half. Just an off night for him.. PF. Louisville Cardinals. JORDAN NWORA

STEVEN ENOCH. C+. It seemed like the whole first half was gonna go by without Enoch getting the ball in the post. But the couple times he did get it, he converted. He grabbed a couple big rebounds and also hit two 3-pointers that were big for us, even though I hope he doesn’t fall in love with the shot. His defense needs to improve though – he’s not quick enough getting back after hedging, which slows down the rotation and led to to quite a few wide open corner 3’s.. C. Louisville Cardinals

C-. VJ only played 5 minutes, and had a tough bucket and a nice hustle play on a defensive rebound action.. but that was it. Just when you thought he was gonna take it all the way in transition and get the bucket or get fouled, he stopped, turned around and threw it back out to the perimeter. This guy is just playing scared offensively, and this team needs him to turn it on if they want to keep winning at a high level.. SF. Louisville Cardinals. V.J. KING

A. This kid just continues to work, and it’s paying off for the team big time. It’s not just his scoring, it’s his defense, his hustle, and his fearlessness. Malik can and is willing to guard almost every position on the floor – he’s everywhere at once sometimes, getting to rebounds and 50/50 balls. Every time he’s on the floor this teams energy is through the roof, and he’s playing better and better as he gains even more confidence.. PF. Louisville Cardinals. MALIK WILLIAMS

RyMac didn’t give us a whole lot on either end of the floor, but what he did do is exactly what he always does: whatever it takes for the team to win. He opened up the second half with a bucket on a beautiful back cut, took a huge charge late and hit clutch free throws (as always) to help seal the win. Still, need more consistency from him on both ends of the court.. PG. Louisville Cardinals. RYAN MCMAHON. B

D. Darius is in a funk. There’s no other way to say it. He played 10 minutes, missed at least 2 bunnies and scored no points. For a player known as a tenacious defender and a flat out scorer, Perry has just been off lately. Right now, sadly, the team plays better with him on the bench.. PG. Louisville Cardinals. DARIUS PERRY

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