The sharpshooting Louisville Cardinals are living up to their name as they enter the final stretch of the regular season. Louisville basketball is coming off a massive 41-point win against conference foe the North Carolina State Wolfpack, led by superstar freshman Mikel Brown Jr. and elite senior Ryan Conwell, who posted a combined 76 points.
It was a statement win not only to show that the Cardinals are truly one of the best teams in the ACC, but to put the rest of the ACC (and the country) on notice that the Cardinals are working toward their peak and playing some of their best basketball of the season.
Louisville put on full display its offensive potential, shooting an eye-popping 60 percent from the field and from 3-point range. Louisville fans have to believe that was the type of performance Pat Kelsey envisioned as he and his staff compiled the roster last offseason, with the sharpshooting additions. Louisville has had other fantastic shooting performances this season; however, this outing stands out as elite, above the rest. It’s a testament not only to the elite shooting of the Cardinals, but also to something else about Louisville’s current state.
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Pat Kelsey's offseason vision is beginning to come together
Louisville is currently on its longest win streak since the beginning of the season (four games) and has won five of six games since Brown Jr. returned back to the lineup. One of the main reasons for their success has been Brown’s ability to let the offense come to him and to play his game through the offensive flow. This has led to a much more efficient offense and better shot selection not only for Brown but also for his teammates.
Look no further than the assists totals that have been posted during Louisville’s four-game win streak: SMU - 20 assists, Notre Dame - 19 assists, Wake Forest - 19 assists, NC State - 21 assists. These elite-level team assists numbers show just how efficiently Pat Kelsey’s offense is being run by the Cardinals during this stretch.
The best part is that every person who enters the game contributes and pulls their own weight. Yes, Brown and Conwell continue to provide the bulk of the scoring load; however, there has not been a major drop-off when they exit the game for short breaks.
Yes, it appears that Louisville fans are starting to see Kelsey’s vision for this team unfold before their eyes. The offense is creating open shots; elite shooters are finding and making them, and as a result, the Cardinals are posting massive point totals.
March is quickly approaching, and it is becoming abundantly clear that Kelsey and the Louisville Cardinals are ready for anything that comes their way.