In his rather pissy postgame presser after the Mustangs fell by 14 at Louisville 18 days ago, SMU coach Andy Enfield gave but peripheral credit to the Cards for the W.
And repeated several times to several different questions, “Two assists, ten turnovers. Two assists, ten turnovers.”
His team lost cohesion in the 2d. The Cardinals steadied and prevailed.
Tuesday night, in a game when U of L never found sure footing, the Cards had still grappled to a 76 all tie at the 6:33 mark.
Here’s what I jotted down in my notes: “Key: Composure.”
As they did oh so many times — a total that inexorably spelled a 95-85 victory — SMU answered.
Louisville turned it over.
SMU drained a triple.
At Moody, it was the ‘Stangs who were anchored.
The culprit late for U of L: bad passes, too quick attempts from distance, missed gimmes.
* * * * *
The real villain in cowboy country: Defense.
As in the lack thereof with any intensity.
At halftime, the Cardinals had netted 53% of their shots, 47% from beyond the arc, were +8 on points off turnovers, +8 on 2d chance scores.
Yet trailed 49-52.
Because they’d allowed SMU to hit 60% from the field, 67% from long range, and were doubled up in the paint 14-28.
At one point, the winners netted 8 FGs in a row.
When the Cardinals would occasionally sneak ahead, SMU would immediately answer.
Louisville didn’t make a key stop all night.
* * * * *
Which team would lose their touch after intermission?
The one the readers here were rooting for.
U of L was 12/33 after the break.
SMU hit 57%.
And ended up with 45 points in the paint to the Cards’ 30.
SMU made 8 of the their last 9 FG attempts.
* * * * *
Conference games on the road are tough.
Conference games on the road against decent teams are tougher.
Conference games on the road against decent teams struggling to make the Dance tougher still.
Even tougher, when the road game comes after you’ve already beaten the team at home.
Louisville was less tough Tuesday night.
They lost.
— c d kaplan
