4. Defense shows incredible improvement
What a difference one game makes in addressing issues and improving. Tonight the Cardinals looked like a completely different team entirely on the defensive end. The intensity and focus with which the Cardinals played, especially on the defensive end of the floor, were the catalysts in the incredibly lopsided victory for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals held SC State to 23% shooting and forced 25 turnovers. They also won the rebounding battle, 47 -33. A defensive performance like the one the Cardinals put on display tonight is bound to have fans thinking of the Final Four or a National Championship as a realistic possibility.
Holding any team to 15 points in one half is an amazing feat, no matter who the opponent happens to be. It will be interesting to see if this same intensity can be maintained throughout the season for the Cards, especially when they face another athletic team like they did when playing Kansas.