Louisville opens Pat Kelsey era with 93-45 demolition of Morehead State

The Cards. Are. Back.

Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

On a night that felt equal parts celebration and exorcism, the Louisville men’s basketball team steamrolled Morehead State, 93-45, in the debut of new head coach Pat Kelsey.

The Cardinals started the game with a gorgeous alley-oop slam from Chucky Hepburn to James Scott, and never let up from there.

Despite some early shooting woes, U of L utilized some suffocating defense to consistently expand their advantage. The Cards held Morehead State to 3-of-28 shooting in the first half and carried a 41-14 lead with them into the locker room.

They then came out and immediately ran another successful lob play to Scott to begin the second half. U of L would finish the night with nine dunks, just three short of a school record.

When the dust finally settled — and the success-starved patrons finally sat down — Louisville had recorded its largest margin of victory since a 104-54 win over Southern on Nov. 13, 2018. The Cards had also secured their most lopsided victory in a season-opener since a 92-38 thrashing of South Alabama in 2001, a game that marked the beginning of the Rick Pitino era.

Kasean Pryor came off the bench to lead Louisville in points (18), rebounds (7) and assists (4). Four other players — J’Vonne Hadley (15), Scott (12), Reyne Smith (12) and Terrence Edwards (12) — scored in double figures for a Cardinal team that scored 93 points despite connecting on just 11 of their 36 three-point attempts.

Louisville dominated the offensive glass from start to finish, creating 14 second chance opportunities for itself compared to Morehead State’s four. The Cardinals also turned the Eagles over a whopping 21 times, and gave the ball away just five times (to go along with 21 assists) themselves.

The best way to sum up night one of the Kelsey era is this: At one point, deep in the second half, Louisville led by 50 points. Every fan in a still full lower bowl was standing and applauding.

This was about as cathartic a night of U of L sports as I can ever remember, and it was an earned one.

Saturday afternoon, win or lose, is going to be an earned moment as well. It figures to feel like old times inside the KFC Yum Center in all the best ways.

Folks, the Cards are back.