When you leave a successful mid-major for a Power Four program, this is the type of game you live for.
For Pat Kelsey, games like the one on Saturday against Tennessee are why you come to Louisville.
Kelsey took over a Louisville program in shambles with an unfamiliar level of losing.
The Cardinals defeated Morehead State, 93-45, in the opener. Kasean Pryor had 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Louisville’s defense held Morehead State to 23% shooting.
Kelsey and Louisville should be a good philosophical match. Kelsey should be able to recruit the athletes necessary to play at a faster pace and with the defensive pressure that Kelsey desires.
Even in the transfer portal era, it will take Kelsey a little time to get his desired roster, but you can already see his vision.
That will be tested against a tough but dinged-up Tennessee team with an established identity under Rick Barnes.
On paper, Tennessee should have an advantage in the paint, but both Felix Okpara and J.P. Estrella are dealing with injuries that could limit their effectiveness. In Tennessee’s 80-64 win over Gardner-Webb, Okpara was in foul trouble, and Estrella only played 11 minutes.
The Volunteers leaned heavily on their three-headed monster at guard. Chaz Lanier had 18 points on 7-12 shooting, while his backcourt mate, Jahmai Mashack, chipped in 10 points. Jordan Gainey came off the bench and gave Tennessee an offensive boost scoring 16 points on 7-9 shooting.
As a team, Tennessee was 20-32 from inside the arc.
Louisville can concentrate more on the Tennessee guards if the Volunteers’ bigs are less than 100%. Taking away Tennessee’s paint advantage and pushing pace will put pressure on the Tennessee guards to be superior decision-makers rather than just playing freely.
The Cardinals need the game to be played on a well-spaced floor so they can pressure the front of the rim. That would help Louisville have an advantage in the points-in-the-paint category.
That could be the advantage that Kelsey needs in his first big game at Yum.
