LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Consternation was the word of the day for the University of Louisville men’s basketball team.
Not anticipation — as in the soaring anticipation over the start of a fresh season.
Not exhilaration — as in happy days were on the way for the Cardinals.
No, the word was certainly consternation — as in there was tremendous consternation that Louisville better not lose this opener to UMBC, the way the Cardinals lost their final exhibition game to Kentucky Wesleyan last week or lost 28 times during the forgettable 2022-23 season.
Can't happen.
The sky had already fallen. Now the ground would collapse, too.
By game’s end, the word of the day for the Cardinals was … I don’t know … exhale … survive … miracle.
A year after Louisville opened its season by losing to Bellarmine, Wright State and Appalachian State by a single point, the Cards stumbled to a 13-point deficit -- and then rallied to defeat UMBC (Maryland-Baltimore County), 94-93, at the KFC Yum! Center Monday night in front of an announced crowd of 11,010 that shifted from consternation to celebration.
"We needed this win," U of L coach Kenny Payne said. "And we needed it for those guys in the locker room.
"For me to sit here and talk about strategy and this and that ... they fought for a win. And they got a win. It wasn't pretty but we executed (in the second half)."
"That's one," said former Cardinal Billy Thompson who flew from Miami to support Payne, his friend and teammate on the Cards' 1986 NCAA championship team. "That's how you build confidence, coming back to win games like this."
They won it on a dunk by JJ Traynor after a vicious steal by Tre White under the Louisville basket. A missed free throw by UMBC’s Khydarius Smith made it official after the officials appeared to miss a UMBC turnover along the baseline.
With the game tied at 92, White crackled down the right wing. He was cut off at the baseline. Instead of looking for a teammate, White forced a shot with his left hand with 11 seconds to play. He missed.
UMBC's Franck Emmou appeared to have the rebound, but White reached over him to take it away. While falling out of bounds, White tossed the ball back toward the goal. Traynor grabbed his prize and slammed it, the Cards seventh and final dunk of the wild evening.
Payne said his team works on that play, throwing the ball near the rim, every day in practice.
Debacle avoided.
The box score provided ample evidence that Louisville was in legitimate trouble against a rebuilding team picked to finish seventh in the America East Conference.
UMBC made nearly 51% of its field goal attempts. The visitors made 11 of 21 shots from distance, outscoring Louisville 33-to-6 from the 3-point line.
The Cards drove the ball with confidence, getting UMBC in foul trouble while earning 17 more free throw attempts. But Payne's team failed to take total advantage, making only 61.5% (24 of 39) from the line.
"I love the fact we got them in foul trouble," Payne said. "I love the fact we shot a lot of free throws. I hate the fact we missed a lot of free throws. What happens if we make another 8 free throws."
Louisville led for only 8 minutes and 37 seconds.
So how did the Cards win?
Credit the persistence of Mike James. Credit him with his first career double-double — 25 points and 10 rebounds. He was unflappable at the free throw line, making 13 of 14.
"I say it all the time but if you had eight Mike James, you don't lose," Payne said. "His will. His fight. It's not about his talent. It's about his work ethic. His professionalism. His coming in every day fighting, fighting to get better."
Traynor had 13, freshman point guard Ty-Laur Johnson scored 12 while Tre White and Skyy Clark both scored 11. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield improved from his dismal performance against Kentucky Wesleyan by contributing 10 rebounds.
I’m not certain what the word of the night was at halftime. I only know it was a word that doesn’t belong in this column.
On a night when the program honored Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum, Payne’s team did not do the one thing that Crum’s teams consistently did well — defend.
UMBC stormed to a 13-point lead by scoring on eight consecutive possessions. Five were layups. One was a 3-point attempt. Two were jump shots. The visitors were shooting close to 60% for much of the half.
Payne delivered a lecture about defensive intensity at halftime So did former Cardinal point guard Peyton Siva, who waited outside the locker room and brought the players into a huddle.
"He said to play this half like it's for the rest of your season," James said. "I really took that to heart. I felt like the guys took that to heart ...
"... play like this is your last game and the second half is going to dictate the rest of your season."
Their defense picked up in the second half. So did their offense. UofL jumped on UMBC, scoring 12 of the first 14 points after the halftime ceremony that honored Crum.
But the lead disappeared in 23 seconds.
The lead did not return to stay until the final 7 seconds.
Louisville will return to its home court to play Chattanooga Friday night, in what is expected to be the toughest of its three home games to start this season.
"We're not going to go undefeated," Payne said. "But we're going to show you, hopefully, with our character and with our work ethic that this is headed in the right direction."
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