Louisville going with 4 guard lineup now and with great success

[ChicosBailBonds]

Monday's game should be a wild one with a potential track meet at hand.


Remember, though, it's not a guards game.   

--------------------


Rick Pitino's act of desperation may turn out to be Louisville's salvation.

At least for now.

Using a four-guard lineup for the second straight game, Louisville raced by visiting Providence early then held on late for a 78-63 victory that gives the Cardinals some real momentum for the first time this season.

"They're going to give me a nervous breakdown," Pitino said. "It's refreshing to see their attitude every day because they're playing so hard and they're getting better. They're getting more confident and that's something we need."

The Cardinals certainly played with confidence while winning their second straight conference game for the first time since joining the Big East last year. Louisville forced 26 turnovers and used its quickness to get in the passing lanes to make up for a considerable size disadvantage.

"We said 'OK, we're going to lose something,' which is the backboard, but we're going to gain something, which is movement, defense and forcing turnovers," Pitino said.

Injuries forced Pitino to use the small lineup in a victory over South Florida on Wednesday. After watching the Cardinals roll up 81 points against the Bulls, he stuck with it.

[ecompt]

There will be 30 3-pointers attempted and 35 turnovers in this game

[Marquette84]

There will be 30 3-pointers attempted and 35 turnovers in this game

The two teams are going to reel in 3 point attemtps? I don't think so.

In Big East play UL is averaging just over 25 attempts, while MU is attempting 17. 

My guess is its going to be closer to 50 than to 30.

[ecompt]

I think TC will tell his team not to get into a 3-point battle with them. If UL goes small, we may want to get the ball down to Barro more than usual. I don't think we can win a 3-point shootout with UL. 

[NCMUFan]

I stay stick with what we are successful with.  Which is driving to the basket.  Especially with a small Louisville team.

[MarquetteDano]

is that there will only be one shot blocker in the lane when we drive.  That could actually play to our strengths as long as the 'Ville doesn't go nuts from three-point range.

- Dano'

[Murffieus]

Except at center----Ville has a very athletic group.

[NavinRJohnson]

Frankly I'm thrilled at this prospect. Creates a very good match-up for us. Should be a fun game to watch.

[Nukem2]

Actually, looking at the minutes for the PC and USF games, the Cardinal's true 4's and 5's (Padgett, Williams, Clark, Palacios,etc.) played a total of around 80 minutes in each of those games.  I would say Lousville is really playing mostly 3 guards (with some spurts of 4 to create action)...??

[WashDCWarrior]

Not sure we'll actaully see it, but Blackledge could be a nice asset against L'ville.  From what I've seen he's a solid perimeter defender for someone his height, and all that length could disrupt their 3 point shooting.  I see Crean giving him some PT if one of the Cardinal shooters gets hot and is hurting us from outside.

[mviale]

remember when our only answer to UL's athleticism was carlton christian.

[NavinRJohnson]

remember when our only answer to UL's athleticism was carlton christian.

Good point. I think it may be them having to worry about answering our athleticism - not the other way around.

[TVDirector]

remember when our only answer to UL's athleticism was carlton christian.

unfortunately, I also remember when the mccray bros. and the dunking machine showed us how athletically challenged terrel schlundt was at times as well!