ESPN’s Andy Katz says Louisville's “full body of work” isn't enough to earn them a No. 1 seed and the station’s Doug Gottlieb has set out on a mission to slander the Cardinals at any chance.
In fact, Katz went on to write that even with a Big East Tournament Championship under its belt, Louisville shouldn't receive consideration above Pittsburgh and UConn.
The reason: Louisville's road through the BET would be too easy. My reaction: isn't that what being the No. 1 tournament seed entitles them to?
A big problem is Louisville's comparatively "weak" conference schedule. A loss to UConn in the teams' only meeting and a 33-pointer to Notre Dame stands out from the rest.
Eight straight wins and victories in 18 of their last 20 games should position the Cardinals for a No. 1 seed, but most say Louisville needs to beat Pittsburgh or UConn on a neutral court first.
The Cardinals won each of the previous National Championships from the two-seed position (1980, 86). Another one wouldn't hurt.
Regardless of the seeding debacle, Louisville's victory over Providence early Thursday afternoon was the best indication to date of what the Cardinals will be able to do in an extended postseason.
The Friars were the best bubble candidate in the Big East, and should the cards fall right for them, Providence could go dancing. But a 73-55 loss to the hands of a team that hasn't had a good past at Madison Square Garden reduces the chance.
With freshman center Samardo Samuels, a bleak history in the “World's Most Famous Arena” wasn't a problem. Immune to curses and prejudices New York City has presented to Louisville in recent years, Samuels threw down for 22 points and seven rebounds for his best performance to date—and it hit Providence at a tricky time.
Point-forward Terrence Williams has been the star for the Cardinals, playing himself into late first-round draft pick status over a spectacular senior season. On Thursday, his presence was close to absent.
Through dangerous passes, a missed slam-dunk opportunity, and four turnovers, Williams created vulnerability for the No. 1 seed in the Big East Tournament.
When Samuels stepped up, he created sustainability for a team that's searching for respect despite going 16-2 in conference and returning to the top five after a non-conference slide.
Having the ability to go 10 deep as Rick Pitino chose to against Providence is a huge tournament advantage. Repeatedly, Pitino would sub fresh guards and rotate Samuels and fellow freshman Terrence Jennings at the five spot, keeping the pace of the game through the roof.
Providence turned the ball over 26 times in 40 minutes of play, nearing a Big East tournament record. A first-half stretch had the Friars go scoreless for over nine minutes, leading to the eventual second-half breakaway.
Louisville pulled away with the aid of pure athleticism, and solid full-court pressure in addition to the rebounding of Samuels and Earl Clark (10 total) kept Louisville in control even through 3-of-19 three-point shooting.
The other half of the Pitino-ball equation was incomplete, but still present. Many of the 19 were unchallenged shots that refused to drop—typical Louisville in the Garden.
Up next for Louisville is the fourth seed out of the Big East, Villanova, after the Wildcats knocked off Marquette in possibly the best conference tournament game so far. Kansas and Baylor might make an argument, but with UConn, Pittsburgh, and Louisville, the Big East is where it’s at in March.
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