Louisville basketball picked up a pretty convincing win Saturday afternoon from KFC Yum! Center, as the Cardinals defeated the Miami Hurricanes, 88-78.
UofL was led by their two starting guards, Terrence Edwards Jr, and Reyne Smith as the two guards combined for 53 of Louisville 88 points. Edwards led the way with a season-high 27 points, and 10 assists. His double-double proved his capability of rising to the occasion and being able to help lead the charge for Pat Kelsey and Louisville.
Smith added 26 points where the shooting guard connected on six threes and went 6-6 from the charity stripe. Cardinals as a whole shot the ball at an impressive 49.3% from the field, and shot 11 for 12 from the foul line.
Louisville basketball picked up their 18 win of the season, and their 12 win in last 13 games. Cardinals are now in second place in ACC and only a game behind Duke after their shocking upset.
UofL now shifts their focus to North Carolina State as Cardinals will play the Wolfpack on Feb. 12., but as they prepare a glaring issue is beginning to rise that Pat Kelsey must keep an eye on.
Glaring issue Pat Kelsey and Louisville basketball must avoid
Louisville basketball is clicking on all cylinders right now, but it may be at wrong time as the glaring injury bug is striking at the worst time.
With about 11 minutes remaining in the first half Louisville's center, James Scott, took a rough spill with Brandon Johnson from Miami, as Johnson was seen landing on Smith's head. It was accidental by Johnson, but the contact play caused two of Scott's teeth to get knocked out, making the dominant center to leave the game with a gory scene as blood was visibly dripping from his mouth.
"I don't have a lot of updates right now," head coach Pat Kelsey stated after the game on James Scott update. "He's been at the dentist, he is probably not still there, but obviously teeth knocked out, had some facial injuries and stuff. So, I don't know anything."
Scott's paints presence is almost second to none as he leads Pat Kelsey and his Cardinals in blocks per game with 0.8 and dunks per game with a little over 2. Scott averages 7.5 points per game, with 6.7 rebounds per game, which is second on the team.
He is shooting the ball at a prolific 76.5% from the field, which leads all of Louisville. Scott is putting up program records this season with his ability to dunk and be a elite lobe-threat, as he now ranks fifth in Louisville basketball history with the most dunks in a single season with 52 dunks.
Louisville basketball was already hit with an unexpected injury bug last game as it took their star guard Chucky Hepburn. Hepburn was out this game with a groin injury, and Kelsey said their is no update on Hepburn's return.
"It is either you are in or out." Pat Kelsey answer on how close Chucky Hepburn was to playing in todays game. "I am hoping we have him for next game, but I have no further update."
Pat Kelsey and Louisville basketball need Chucky Hepburn obviously, but James Scott is a vital piece to this Cardinals defense, and offense as he is one of the best lob-threats in the country.