Louisville Cardinals surprise Butler Bulldogs
The Louisville Cardinals surprised the Butler Bulldogs at home with a win in the new KFC Yum! Stadium, on Tuesday 16 November, winning 88-73.
The Cardinals were not expected to do much damage in a highly skilled Big East Conference. However, they proved that they should still be considered one of the top teams in the conference with their impressive win over last year’s runner up.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs were embarrassed in a game they were expected to win on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs starters put together respectable numbers, but were particularly poor from the field and were unable to come back from a 24-point first half Louisville
lead.
The 2010-11 season was expected to be a ‘bridge year’ for the Cardinals who have lost all their starters from last season. Three starters from last year graduated, one joined the National Basketball Association and one is missing due to injury. Nonetheless,
the Cardinals proved they should be taken seriously in 2010-11.
“Everybody was underrating us and we went out there and proved we can play with anybody,” said forward Cardinals forward Terrance Jennings. “We’re not content right now. We’re still focused on getting better, studying our opponents, listening to coach and
we just showed the potential in our team.”
The Bulldogs were expected to rollover the inexperienced Louisville side, as they have returned four of last year’s starters and are currently ranked 18th in the AP Top 25 Poll. However, Butler seemed to be rattled by the raucous home crowd, which
exceeded 22,000, coming out to support the Cardinals in their first game of the season.
“I don’t think it’s rocket science, for whatever reason we got outplayed,” said Butler head coach Brad Stevens. “We got caught up in the atmosphere. I’d say the Big East predictions are wrong. From what I’ve seen, they’re really good.”
The Cardinals got a full team effort, getting five players in double digits, but forward Rakeem Buckles led the way with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The squad also got strong play from guard Mike Marra, who notched 11 points and five assists and Jennings,
who managed 13 points and eight assists.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs got a strong effort from both guard Shelvin Mack, who tallied 25 points and seven rebounds and forward Matt Howard, who managed 23 points and nine rebounds.
The Cardinals next face-off against the Jackson State Tigers on Saturday 20 November, while the Bulldogs will meet the Ball State Cardinals on Wednesday 17 November.
Tags: