Yep, I was wrong. Men 15th and still looking for Women's. Men did set some school records.

Was really hoping we'd see two Kentucky teams in the final four, maybe even the NC. Looked like Blackshear was going to be able to carry them to it for a while, sorry to see them go down.

Tough loss, but they made a nice run in the tournament. Blackshear played his heart out and Pitino did a phenomenal job coaching toward the end of the regular season and in the tournament with the challenges that the team faced. I knew it would be a challenge and never count Michigan State and Tom Izzo out. My stomach feels a little better over the free throws at the end, but it is what it is. Looking forward to next season.

Missing pieces from this team -

 

A - Luke Hancock / Kyle Kuric as a major threat & knock down shooter at the 3

B - depth to allow pressure defense for 40 minutes

C - Gorgui was at least some threat to score at the 5

 

That said, they performed way above any reasonable expectations. Snider came into his own and showed he can be a PG with a scoring threat next year. Harrell had glimpses of greatness (1st half) and long stretches where he showed he still needs to improve (2nd half). Rozier was aggressive to the point of frenzy. Gill tried to force his game to match his Sweet 16 boost instead of letting the game come to him. Aaron -- well, let's hope he improves greatly over the summer and buys in to what it will take to be a contributor for Pitino. Mangok, Onuaku, Mahmoud, Stockman, Johnson - how much better can they get before next year? Not sure what Pitino is bringing in for next year, but that is some decent talent to start with. Very raw, but upside.

 

I suspect Rozier will go if he projects as a 1st rounder. If not, maybe he stays. I hope he stays, not only for selfish reasons. I think he would get much better with another year under Pitino and better prepare himself for a longer pro career. Easy for me to say.

 

Blackshear -- all the kid ever did wrong was come in with very high expectations. If he did not start at that level, people would be thrilled with his contribution in all aspects on and off the floor. He went out at the very highest level competing, performing great and LITERALLY bloodied but unbowed. While it has been frustrating, it has been great watching him for the past 4 yrs.

 

 

As I said a few weeks ago, what this Cards' team was devoid of was a leadership presence. Chris Jones was to fill that hole starting the season, but it is Chris Jones. Blackshear was never that guy. Harrell, I think Rick wanted to be that guy, but you can't have your energy overemotional guy being the team leader. So short of a leadership presence, you remove the bad apples, and that is what Pitino did. Regardless of the tournament results, they maxed out what they had.

It's true. We are spoiled around here. Louisville had no business in the Elite 8. I was happy after they got out of their first round game, but even with low expectations it's like " Man, I wish they could have won just one more game to make the Final Four."

 

I'm the same way with the Cats. I sat there most of the ND game thinking: "Man, 37-1 and I feel like this season will be a bust." There's something wrong when our expectations get that way. But there I am.

Missing pieces from this team -

 

A - Luke Hancock / Kyle Kuric as a major threat & knock down shooter at the 3

B - depth to allow pressure defense for 40 minutes

C - Gorgui was at least some threat to score at the 5

 

That said, they performed way above any reasonable expectations. Snider came into his own and showed he can be a PG with a scoring threat next year. Harrell had glimpses of greatness (1st half) and long stretches where he showed he still needs to improve (2nd half). Rozier was aggressive to the point of frenzy. Gill tried to force his game to match his Sweet 16 boost instead of letting the game come to him. Aaron -- well, let's hope he improves greatly over the summer and buys in to what it will take to be a contributor for Pitino. Mangok, Onuaku, Mahmoud, Stockman, Johnson - how much better can they get before next year? Not sure what Pitino is bringing in for next year, but that is some decent talent to start with. Very raw, but upside.

 

I suspect Rozier will go if he projects as a 1st rounder. If not, maybe he stays. I hope he stays, not only for selfish reasons. I think he would get much better with another year under Pitino and better prepare himself for a longer pro career. Easy for me to say.

 

Blackshear -- all the kid ever did wrong was come in with very high expectations. If he did not start at that level, people would be thrilled with his contribution in all aspects on and off the floor. He went out at the very highest level competing, performing great and LITERALLY bloodied but unbowed. While it has been frustrating, it has been great watching him for the past 4 yrs.

 

Let's be honest there isn't a long track record of Louisville players getting better for the NBA by staying. Dieng is about it. Everyone else virtually stayed the same, look at Harrell. Perhaps that's the way most are. Either you're an NBA player or you're not.

 

Rozier will be a better college player if he stays. He's still going to be an undersized, high volume scorer. There is a place for that in the NBA though if he catches on with the right team.

 

Rozier could be a player of the year candidate if he comes back IMO.