Seedy K’s GameCap: Winthrop

There are games which must simply endured during a season, when everybody — team, coaches, players — just want to get to the buzzer with more points than the other side. Then get outta there.

Friday night was one of those nights.

Louisville 76, Winthrop 61.

Don’t sweep the floor. Save the showers for back in the DennyDorm. Turn off the scoreboard, turn off the lights, get out, lock the doors before somebody dictates there’s more time to play.

A W is a W is a W is a W. (OK, it only counts as one, but you catch my drift.)

But that’s about it.

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It wasn’t so long ago I opined that several of the players reminded me of Dwyane Sutton. Not an alpha dog, but the glue guy who does the stuff a team needs to win games. Like Herb Crook back in the day.

J’Vonne Hadley is the fella I mostly see in that role.

His nine point +, 4 RB average, and obvious leadership until this one hinted that would be his contribution. An important one at that. But Louisville needs more from him, and certainly got it Friday.

When Hadley — one of several of the shorthanded Cards in foul trouble — committed his 4th with 5:14 still to go and Louisville up a wobbly 14, a Card fan might have been inclined to reach for the antacid of his or her choice.

JH had 12 and 12 at the time, and was the prime reason Winthrop stayed measured, even though his fellow Cardinals played with all the intensity on offense of guys who just wanted to pack their swimsuits and get on the plane to the Caribbean.

When Hadley returned, U of L had only lost a deuce off that lead. He added another carom to his game totals.

Relief.

Thanks to the visitors abysmal 22/70 shooting and 11 missed FTs. And fairly solid Cardinal D.

Louisville gave it away 20 times, gave up 19 offensive boards resulting in 16 Eagle tallies, and launched 16 fewer FG attempts.

Yet won. Though we shall be inquiring all season: “Where’s the beef?” Clara Peller, come on down.

I’m getting this post up quickly so the refs don’t order security to stop the team bus and make ‘em return to the court.

* * * * *

James Scott grabbed 5 misses off the glass in the 2d, and was 5/5 from the field for the tilt. And looked better at the stripe with 2/3.

Twice during this forgettable performance, Reyne Smith, easily Louisville’s most mature, savvy presence, fouled Winthrop guys while they were shooting beyond the arc.

Fortunately he’s a marksman of the highest order, netting 5 of his nine triple attempts.

* * * * *

As for the opening stanza, let’s just say there’s a lot to work from there to work on. Before IU, because it didn’t get much better after intermission.

Rebounding, it has been obvious from first looks at this edition of the Cardinals, was going to be an issue.

There it was under the microscope in the opening half.

The totals: 18 for U of L, 24 for Winthrop.

Which really doesn’t tell the whole story.

The visitors snared a truly disturbing dozen Offensive Rebounds before halftime, to but a couple secured by Louisville. The Eagles took advantage for 12 points. U of L countered with only 4.

James Scott had only one board in the 1st.

U of L led by 8 at the break, and it wasn’t just smoke and mirrors, but certainly seemed like it.

Winthrop’s woeful shooting aided the Cardinals.

12 turnovers for the Cards, including one stretch of four in a smidge over 2 1/2 minutes when the score was but 12-10 after twelve minutes of less than stellar action. Winthrop matched the giveaway number.

What also saved the Cards before intermission. 7 blocks and 5 steals. Interior defense wasn’t top shelf, but pretty good.

From the opening tip, it was reinforced that the absence of Koron Johnson and Kader Traore is a significant detriment. Johnson especially because he’s Chucky Hepburn’s PG relief.

* * * * *

Next: Three games in three days. Starting with IU at noon on Wednesday.

— c d kaplan