Injuries a Problem, but Not "The" Problem for Louisville

Following Louisville's embarrassing 22-point loss to UNC-Charlotte, Rick Bozich of the Louisville Courier-Journal points out that Louisville's problems run a little deeper than the recent assortment of injuries to key players:

“Coach said he couldn't even yell at us, he was so embarrassed,” guard Edgar Sosa said. “Discouraged? I don't think any of us are. Embarrassed? Most definitely.”

“He said he was disappointed, and he should be,” Smith said. “There wasn't any effort out there. There wasn't any heart. Nobody was playing with a sense of urgency.”

Urgency is often reflected on the backboard. Charlotte played with urgency. The Cards played as if they needed those 6:15a.m. running sessions dialed back to 4 a.m.

Behind 47-32, UofL figured to be extremely urgent to begin the second half. Not so. The 49ers scored the first three baskets, one on an offensive rebound and two on layups. Samardo Samuels, who managed only four rebounds, was summoned to the bench 92 seconds into the half.

“They outplayed us in every phase of the game,” Pitino said.

Here is the scariest statistic: Charlotte had more offensive rebounds (20) than UofL had on the same defensive glass (18).

Here is the runner-up in the scariest statistic category: UofL managed only nine assists, just two more than Charlotte point guard DiJuan Harris.

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My Thoughts: Oh, to be a fly on the wall at practice this week...