Big Red Louie
Fansided

Virginia cruises by Louisville basketball in last regular season game

By Robert Caudill

Mar 4, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Mike James (1) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers forward Jayden Gardner (1) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Mike James (1) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers forward Jayden Gardner (1) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Yesterday afternoon, the Cardinals lost to the Cavaliers 75-60 in their last game of the regular season. Unfortunately for Louisville, they didn’t get to land In Charlottesville until late morning due to bad weather conditions last night. However, the road conditions were the least of their problems once they set foot on the court. Let’s review the game below.

The Cardinals couldn’t find their rhythm in the first half. They shot 33% from the field and finished 1-7 from behind the arc. The theme of the year reared its ugly head against Virginia’s pack-line defense, which forced 7 Louisville turnovers in the first half. The heartbeat of the team, El Ellis, only had four points to three turnovers, but Mike James was able to add nine points in the first half.

To that end, Virginia dominated the first half. The Cavaliers shut down the Cardinals defensively by taking Ellis out of rhythm and forcing Louisville to play away from the rim. They found rhythm offensively and was able to spread Louisville’s defense out finding open shots. The Cavaliers took advantage of Louisville’s weakness guarding curl cuts, dropping 10 of 32 of their shot attempts off of these. To make matters worse, Virginia shot 50% from the field and 41% from behind the arc in the first half.

Louisville woke up in the second half finding life with their possessions off the dribble drive. Mike James in the second half was able to isolate others and score using his big frame as a guard. James had 15 in the second half and tied his career high with 24 points total. The team shot 50 % from the field and 37% from three. However, the defense couldn’t cut the lead due to their inability to guard cuts to the basket. Virginia ended the second half shooting over 66% from the field.

The Cardinals end their regular season with a loss on the road against the Cavaliers 75-60. They end the regular season with four wins. Louisville starts post season play Tuesday at 4:30 PM EST against Boston College.

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