4. Defense rises to the occasion
Entering this offseason, Louisville fans were a bit worried about the Cardinals' defense, but it has been clear through three games that Pat Kelsey has this team playing excellent defense. The Cardinals were the aggressor this game on both ends of the floor, but especially on defense.
Louisville forced 14 turnovers and caused the Wildcats to shoot 47.1 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from beyond the arc. The defensive intensity is something that has caught the fans' eyes early on, and tonight it might have had its best performance. Kentucky was struggling to get anything going, and with the crowd roaring in the background, the Wildcats' run came just too late in the game.
Ryan Conwell and Isaac McKneely stepped up big-time this game on both ends, but defensively, their four combined steals stood out. Louisville's depth is a significant reason why they have such high expectations, and keeping their players fresh and playing with high intensity is a key factor in their recent success, as evidenced by their massive performance against the Wildcats.