Keys: Louisville lights-out from three in a win over rival Memphis
Louisville extends its winning streak, taking down Memphis 99-73. In such a heated rivalry game, the Cards made easy work of the Tigers on Saturday afternoon.
With both teams coming off big wins last week, this could’ve been anyone’s game. Louisville came out strong, scoring 57 points in the first half. Being the aggressor on both ends of the floor, Louisville showed flashes of a Final Four team. Knocking down more than half of their three-pointers, the Cards picked up right where they left off against Indiana.
The Cardinal’s depth and shooting came into play, with six players logging solid minutes off the bench. Led by 17 points from Ryan Conwell, Memphis had no answer for the lefty guard.
Louisville hot from deep
Louisville came in attempting 35 three-pointers a game while hitting 12.7 of them, good for the 97th-ranked efficiency in the country. Against Memphis, the Cards matched their attempt average but hit 18 of them, at a whopping 51 percent.
Hitting 12 from distance in the first half, Louisville came right back in the second half, shooting 46% from deep. Ball movement was key to this success, with 80 percent of its field goals assisted on. Conwell knocked down three shots from behind the arc, while Memphis defenders kept on sagging off.
Future lottery pick Mikel Brown needed a big day after some sluggish shooting performances. Hitting 2 of 5 attempts from long, Brown got back on track, showcasing his difficult shot-making skills. Fellow starter J’Vonne Hadley was also a perfect 3-of-3 for his nine points, after being scoreless in the first half.
Adrian Wooley led the team from three, hitting 5 of his 8 attempts. On almost all catch-and-shoot opportunities, Wooley managed to get himself open, set his feet, and knock down his shots with ease. Kasean Pryor exploded for multiple threes in a row, getting the crowd involved in the first half. Finishing at 100 percent from distance, Pryor enjoyed his coming-out party. Khani Rooths was another weapon, shooting well. Hitting a bomb from the “Denny Crum Court” logo in the first half, Rooths showed his range.
On a night where Isaac McKneely didn’t make one basket, Louisville showed off its long list of deep-range threats.
“All of us, everybody had a moment at a time in the game…we were playing great basketball, and we were playing together, and I think if we play like that, it’s hard to beat us,” said Brown.
Defending the ball
Averaging 8.6 steals per game, Louisville only managed to grab 4 against Memphis. This does not display the level of intensity in guarding the ball that the Cards showcased.
Led by Dug McDaniel, averaging 6.4 assists, Memphis came in dishing out 14.8 per game. Louisville locked down the Tigers’ ball-handlers, holding Memphis to 8 assists, compared to its 24.
In 123 minutes of court time, none of the Memphis starters recorded an assist. Pure dominance from players like Kobe Rodgers, Conwell, Brown, and Wooley, who were tasked with guarding McDaniel and the rest of the Memphis guards.
Memphis had to resort to iso matchups and a one-on-one game plan as Louisville clogged up passing lanes. On one possession in the second half, Pryor jumped a passing lane, giving himself an easy steal and breakaway.
Louisville’s bench controlled the game
Louisville has shown great depth all year, but not in the scoring column. Up to this game, the Cards have averaged 25 points off the bench, good for 178th in the country. This notion quickly perished as Louisville dropped 44 bench points, outscoring Memphis’s 33rd-ranked bench by 20.
Over 50% of Louisville’s first-half points came from its bench. Pryor and Wooley single-handedly brought the Yum! Center alive. Hitting back-to-back-to-back three-pointers when the Cards needed it most.
Rooths put together the most complete game of his season, finishing with 10 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Bringing energy immediately after checking in, Rooths tore down three rebounds in under two minutes. Pryor saw 11 minutes, the most since his first game against Jackson State on Nov. 6, nearly doubling his previous high with 11 points.
Tying a season high of 15 points along with three rebounds and three assists, Wooley was arguably the most consistent player on the court. Partnering with Rodgers for most minutes off the bench, Wooley provided scoring while Rodgers stuck to his usual hustle plays and defense.
Vangelis Zougris saw action for the first time since late November. Providing valuable minutes, he threw down an alley-oop from McKneely and grabbed three rebounds.
“Everybody, everybody raised the level of play off the bench… Our depth is one of our greatest assets as a team. Our players embrace it… It’s the power of the unit,” Kelsey said postgame.
Louisville improves to 9-1 on the young season with a heavyweight matchup at Tennessee on the horizon.
