Louisville coach Rick Pitino said after the Cards loss to Minnesota last week that he would look into some lineup changes and he meant it. Today’s U of L starting lineup against UAB consisted of some new faces like Preston Knowles and freshman Jared Swopshire. Terrence Williams, Samardo Samuels and Jerry Smith rounded out the starters.

There were some lofty expectations set for this year’s Louisville Cardinals basketball team coming into the season. But after suffering the teams second loss of the season to Minnesota, the No. 19 Cards (7-2) have some serious issues that must be addressed before they can live up to those expectations.

The loss of David Padgett has been much underestimated by many people.  A year ago, this group of Cards was in a very similar situation. Padgett’s return from injury resurrected a team that was in the middle of an apparent free fall. His overall understanding of the game and leadership brought the team the stability it needed to establish itself as a legit contender.

The loss of Padgett has forced Rick Pitino to institute an offensive philosophy that is very different and its going to take time for the players to get used to it. Though U of L returned four of five starters and seven of its top eight scorers, the Cards still have yet to find its winning formula.

Last year, Pitino used the extraordinary passing skills of Padgett in the high post to initiate U of L’s offense. With Padgett gone and the arrival of freshman low post banger Samardo Samuels, Pitino has now gone back to a more traditional style of offense that the ball handlers have not been used to since they’ve arrived on campus.

Padgett’s unique passing ability took a lot of pressure off of U of L’s point guards and now they no longer have him as a security blanket. Now it will be up to guards like junior Edgar Sosa and senior Andre Mcgee to initiate the offense and its going to take time.

U of L still is one of the most talented squads in the country. They also have probably the most athletic and talented starting frontcourts in all of college basketball with Samuels, Earl Clark, and Terrence Williams. The U of L guards are also very talented and deep. Though shooting has been an issue thus far, these guys have proved in the last two seasons capable of getting the job done.  

Slow starts are nothing unusual for Louisville under the direction of coach Rick Pitino. Early losses have been typical for this group. Just last season U of L dropped early games against teams such as Dayton, Purdue, BYU, and Cincinnati before going on a run and finishing the season among the college basketball’s elite.  These Cards have shown in years past that they’re capable of doing it, now it just a matter of will they.

Syracuse football has had an interesting two days in recruiting.  Yesterday it was learned JUCO QB Garrett Barnas will not be coming to Syracuse.  Barnas is a dual threat style QB who accepted a scholarship during the Orange coaching transition – Doug Marrone had not yet been hired.  Interestingly enough, reports say it was SU Defensive Line coach Derrick Jackson that told Barnas his scholarship was off the table – not the new head coach.  Needless to say, Barnas’s coach is not pleased – but more details have come out on this one….

In really good news, Art Jones (remember 15 tackles against Notre Dame) – yeah, he’s coming back for his senior season.  The Orange has an anchor on the DL now, and a key cog in reloading the program.

Well, in the midst of basketball season, I haven’t really given due diligence, or really any diligence to the new hire for Syracuse in the whole football coaching department thing.  Anyway – there is some interesting news today from the Baltimore Sun. 

SU wide receiver recruit Alec Lemon told the paper his commitment to the Orange is still strong after the hiring of Doug Marrone two weeks ago (or maybe visa-versa as well).  Lemon also told the paper he was told SU will be running a no-huddle spread offense next season…in a dome…buckle up.

I had the chance to speak with Marrone last week on Sports Radio 620 in Syracuse.  It’s about a half hour interview you can find by clicking here.

The Orange has long been criticized for not being able to go on the road and win in the non-conference slate.  Well, actually, it’s been chastised for just not plain going on the road in the non-conference slate.  Well, quote the raven…nevermore. 

Syracuse has picked up three big wins away from the Carrier Dome, and New York for that matter.  IT started in Kansas City, MO with wins over the last three national champions in Florida and Kansas.  Tonight it beat last year’s runner up…on the road…in the FedExForum…a place where Memphis has now lost twice in three calendar years (Tennessee beat the Tigers in February).

There were a couple of reasons for the win…for starters their was Jonny Flynn.  The SU point guard was questionable before the game, well officially, but not according to him.  “Who said that,” Flynn joked after.  Jonny said there was no doubt he’d play after leaving Wednesday’s Canisius game with  an injured hip.  Playing at 80% Flynn led the Orange with 24 points – and on short rest.  The sophomore said he was up at 2 AM getting treatment on his hip.

Another reason was the play of Rick Jackson – who, contrary to ESPN.com highlights, is not named Scoop.  Jackson tied a career high with 14 points.  Most all of those points came from being wide-open when the Tigers double and triple teamed the NCAA’s leader in FG%, Arinze Onuaku.

The Tigers didn’t help their cause shooting 0-3,543,789,043 from three-point range.  Well, not really, but it wasn’t good.  Memphis dropped 7-33 from deep and cause Jim Boeheim to tell John Calipari after the game that the Tigers were one of the worst shooting teams he’d ever seen.  Boeheim qualified the statement in his press-conference – he jokingly added maybe.  If it’s any consolation, I was at Calipari’s presser and he didn’t really disagree.

Oh, and by the way, Eric Devendorf didn’t play – he’s suspended (see previous post).  But that’s kind of a footnote right now.

Junior QB Matt Grothe’s day is done, as coach Jim Leavitt pulled him out of the game and handing the reigns over to senior QB Grant Gregory.

And, even without its starting QB, USF is still scoring.

Gregory led USF on a nine-play, 53-yard scoring drive, capped by a two-yard touchdown run by junior Moise Plancher to give USF a 41-14 lead. The already small crowd is beginning to file out, and there’s still almost an entire quarter remaining (12:40 left in fourth).

Junior QB Matt Grothe continues to play well today, finding sophomore receiver Dontavia Bogan for a 24-yard touchdown pass to put the Bulls up 34-14 with less than two minutes remaining in the third.

Grothe converted a third-and-22 from deep in his own territory early in the eight play, 71 yard drive, and threw his third touchdown of the game.

Right now, he is 17/24 with 237 yards and three TD’s passing, and he has 15 carries for a game-high 82 yards.

Memphis has been playing tough defense, forcing USF to kick a field goal for the second time today. Twice the Bulls have settled for two after driving into the Memphis redzone, but the Tigers are having trouble moving the ball — unless of course, USF decides to give them free yards.

8:36 left in the third quarter.

For the second time today, the Memphis Tigers were given the opportunity by USF to score — and they didn’t disappoint.

After a pass interference call in the endzone gave Memphis the ball on the USF 3-yard line, Memphis QB Arkelon Hall found receiver Steven Black in the corner of the endzone.

USF has given up 55 yards on five penalties in the first half.