Louisville continues in 'rediscovery' mode vs. Florida State

Field Level Media|published: Fri 20th December, 16:47 2024

Dec 14, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey talks to guard Chucky Hepburn (24) during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

Louisville ventures on the road for the second time in a week when it faces Florida State on Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla.

Coach Pat Kelsey's Cardinals (6-5, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) had the week off after a close 93-85 loss at then-No. 5 Kentucky last Saturday. Given the injuries that have slashed Louisville's depth, taking a team that planned on rotating as many as 10 players down to seven, Kelsey told reporters Friday that the team has been in a "rediscovery" mode as the Cardinals have made some tweaks.

One way the Cardinals have adjusted, the coach explained, is by reducing the number of possessions. According to TeamRankings.com, Louisville has averaged 72.1 possessions, which ranks 136th nationally. Teams in the top 40 are averaging 75 or more.

But even with fewer trips up the court, that still doesn't change how the offense operates.

"Our pace has definitely changed a little bit, but that doesn't mean we're ‘Hut, hut, hike,' huddling it up, walking up and running a set play every time," Kelsey said.

Even if Louisville went to that kind of style, the coach said the Seminoles (9-3, 0-1) wouldn't allow that with the way they attack on defense.

Point guard Chucky Hepburn leads the Cardinals, averaging 15.2 points per game. He leads the ACC and is tied for fifth nationally in steals with three a night. Terrence Edwards Jr. ranks second on the team with 13.8 ppg, but he's averaged 22 over the last three.

Florida State has won two straight after losing two, including an 84-74 overtime loss at ACC foe NC State on Dec. 7.

Similar to Louisville, Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton has said his team is struggling with depth issues, albeit in a different way.

"We have five freshmen out there that are really still making their adjustments, and we normally have never been put in a situation where the success of our team and our season has a lot to do with how fast we bring on freshmen," said Hamilton, the longest-tenured coach in the ACC, after the team's 82-64 home win Tuesday over Winthrop. "Because we need them to contribute in some way so we can keep everybody fresh."

Jamir Watkins leads the Seminoles, and his 19.1 scoring average ranks third in the ACC.

--Field Level Media