Louisville Basketball Has Answered Controversy In Style

Sometimes, we forget that these are still young adults who are somewhere between 18 and 22 years old. Their lives still revolve around trying to grow into the men they will ultimately become. There are thoughts about what they will do for Christmas break, what’s going on with their families back home and what’s going on with their studies. Fans care because they’re fans. They, sometimes, place their hopes and dreams on what will transpire during the season. They live and die with every loss. They can sometimes get very excited or very upset by these guys who are, again, 18 to 22 years old.

The variable in all of this is distraction. You can’t possibly believe that these guys are so naive that they believe a game in the middle of December is just as important as a matchup in March against a conference foe or a ranked opponent. It must be hard for a coach to keep these guys focused game in and game out. Don’t forget one other aspect of the college basketball game: they’re not getting paid.

They can’t work or earn an honest wage so they find other things to involve themselves in (as young adult men will do). Sometimes they’re good decisions. Sometimes they make mistakes, but that’s not a reason to hold the mistake over them forever.

The Louisville Cardinals have answered controversy and doubt by responding with an impressive opening to the season. Damion Lee and Trey Lewis haven’t shocked anyone by being the studs they are, and Chinanu Onuaku averages just under 10 points a game and is snatching down the majority of the balls that don’t end up hitting the bottom of the net.

The Cardinals have answered criticism the best way possible. They’ve done it by being successful. They’re one of three ACC teams currently with one loss, and their only loss is to a squad that is currently holding down the top spot in the country. Their wins have all been by at least a 20-point margin. There’s no shame in that. Rick Pitino, as flawed as he can be sometimes, has the Cardinals in position to be a factor yet again.

Geoffrey Knox is a Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow on Twitter @gq_4_eva, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+ and Linkedin.