All five starters scored in double figures and V.J. King came off of the bench to score 13 points. However, shooting still is an issue as the Cardinals shot only 43.6 percent.
The Cards outrebounded the Tigers 51 – 49, but Rick Pitino was not happy with his team’s inability to box out especially against the Tigers’ big man Derrick Griffin. Griffin grabbed a Yum Center record 26 rebounds. The most amazing part is 15 of his rebounds were on the offensive end.
Pitino praised Griffin’s performance while criticizing his team’s rebounding as well saying, “Well, congratulations to Derrick Griffin because that was an amazing rebounding performance. Besides us fundamentally not blocking out correctly, what happens is their little guards get in the lane. You’re forced to help block the shot, then he comes in and he’s great offensive rebounder. It starts with not containing penetration and then he comes in and does a remarkable performance.”
Louisville is off for a full week before the return to the Yum Center next Saturday to face Eastern Kentucky. Then comes a four game stretch against Kentucky, Virginia, Indiana, and Notre Dame. If Pitino is not sure of what type of team he has at this point, then who should have a better idea during this stretch.