Instant reaction: Louisville basketball rides McMahon’s big night to thrashing of NC State

Louisville basketball used a career night from Ryan McMahon and survived some tough breaks as they cruised to a 20-point victory over NC State.

It wasn’t pretty, especially in the early going, but Louisville basketball used sound defense and Ryan McMahon’s deadliest night from deep yet to put away NC State.

The Cardinals began the game in a sleepy fashion. Five fouls in the first three minutes and 10 fouls and 10 turnovers in the first 10 minutes set the tone of a game that felt like nothing was going to go right.

“We felt like we were going to get a team who came in desperate and punch us in the mouth early,” head coach Chris Mack commented in the postgame.

And that’s exactly what happened. NC State lacked depth, but their talented duo of DJ Funderburk, Markell Johnson, and CJ Bryce is enough to stay in any game. The Pack were the aggressors early, and Louisville had to adjust and react.

That’s when Ryan McMahon entered and began to take advantage of NC State’s weaknesses. Five threes in the first half pushed Louisville ahead by that exact 15 point margin, and it was ultimately too much for the Wolfpack to overcome.

The Cardinals saw significant contributions from Jordan Nwora, Fresh Kimble, Steven Enoch, and Malik Williams, and ultimately they were able to pull away for a crucial quadrant one win.

MVP: Ryan McMahon

It may seem too obvious to give the game MVP to McMahon when he comes off the bench and just goes bonkers from deep, but his play was what fueled the Cards throughout.

State’s defense is one that forced the Cards to move quickly and in order to bust the Wolfpack full-court press, someone had to get things going from deep. It wasn’t going to be Darius Perry, who was plagued by foul trouble and only played six minutes, and it wasn’t going to be Jordan Nwora, who was shadowed by NC State’s defense.

Enter McMahon. The redshirt senior has been relegated to the bench after starting for the entirety of non-conference play, and his impact last lessened since the emergence of David Johnson. Yet it was McMahon who made things work for Louisville.

He made his first five threes in the first half, and from there it was gravy for the Cards. Once McMahon became a priority for State’s defense, it opened up a multitude of options.

Nwora was excellent on both ends, Malik Williams came on strong towards the end, and Fresh Kimble was his usual self. But it all started with McMahon stretching the floor and forcing NC State’s hand defensively.

LVP: The officiating

I mean, what. The hell. Was that?

We are the last ones around here to criticize a loose whistle because things tend to balance out throughout the course of the game, but my goodness. What an atrocious showing by Theodore Valentine and company.

Louisville was charged with 5 fouls in the first 3 minutes of play and the Wolfpack was able to get to the line at will and remain in a game that the Cardinals otherwise dominated.

The real kicker was the call with 12 minutes remaining in the second half that kept NC State in the game. After a whistle was blown, State made a three-point shot that was counted, and the Pack was allowed to retain possession. On an inbounds play, State made a layup and then on the ensuing possession, Jordan Nwora was called for a foul (that was not a foul) on a made three-point basket. 9 points in two possessions.

If it were not for a few silly moments from the refs, and some calls that kept the Cards in the game throughout, this one would have gotten ugly in a hurry.

X-Factor: Jordan Nwora

Obviously the MVP of Louisville’s season, it’s not often you find the preseason All-American feeling like an X-factor in a game. However, it was Nwora who did all the little things right on Saturday.

Though his shot wasn’t falling like it usually does, Nwora was able to make his impact felt in a number of areas.

With Dwayne Sutton, Steven Enoch, and Darius Perry in foul trouble all game, Nwora’s presence was needed more than ever away from the ball. His 9 rebounds were tied for the team lead, and his ability to get to the line and dictate the pace of the game in the second half was a tone-setter for the final 10 minutes of the game, which Louisville won by 16.

Stat of the game: 40 – 5

Louisville scored 40 points off the bench to only five from the Wolfpack. That’s probably the story of the game.

McMahon’s great day was obvious, but Malik Williams was his usual consistent self, particularly to finish the game. He is everywhere on defense, and his stroke from deep feels was more confident midway through conference play than it did early on. Don’t forget about the freshman duo of Samuell Williamson and David Johnson, who didn’t have their best game collectively, but combined for 9 points, 5 assists, and only 2 of the team’s 18 turnovers.

NC State’s bench was a direct juxtaposition to Louisville’s. Braxton Beverly averaged 16 points per game in their last two meetings, but only mustered one three point make and was a liability against McMahon all afternoon. State’s bench combined for 2-of-7 shooting, 2 rebounds, and zero assists.

Next up for the Cards is a match-up Wednesday with Wake Forest as they return to the KFC Yum! Center.