So The Ville’s quest for, pinky to lower lip, one millllllllion dollars continues.
The Ville 79, UKnighted 70.
In the first half of the TBT Louisville Regional opener, the Eastern Parkway gang — more talented one might suppose — went back and forth with the well-schooled, disciplined gang from Norris Place.
Dr. Evil with his bag of ransom money couldn’t decide where to sit.
Despite a couple of those absurd shots Russdiculous has been prone to fire throughout his career, The Ville blew out to a 9-0 start.
Time out UKnighted, which then steadied, cutting the tally at the end of the 1st to 21-16 in front of 5987 in Freedom Hall, a surprisingly lopsided Cardinal-loving crowd.
The lead changed hands.
The former Cards were a dozen in the hole, 44-32, after a Braydon Hobbs triple 1:34 left before halftime, which was cut in two by the break to 44-38.
Pressing full court, playing an attacking zone in the half court, the victors finally wore down UKnighted. The lead switched for good at 51-49 on a Montrezl Harrell layup off a David Johnson feed.
Regaining possession off a miss, coach Reece Gaines called a timeout with 3:50 to play.
The Elam Ending ensued. The Cards led 70-60. Target score 78.
Chris Jones hit the winner.
* * * * *
One guy’s opinion.
Adopt the Elam Ending in all of hoops.
Immediately.
* * * * *
As intense as it was on the court, and for the fans, this really is exhibition hoops.
Silent L, ever the warrior, strong and NBA savvy, was full bore between the lines. But, when out of the game, he was signing autographs for kids, chatting up people in the stands he obviously knows.
* * * * *
The difference statistically was at the Charity Stripe.
Vanquished: 2/5. Victors: 19/27.
+17 at the Line is always a good thing.
* * * * *
I wondered at some point during the proceedings why Carlik Jones isn’t ballin’ for The Ville?
Which is being answered as I write while watching his South Sudan squad give USA all they want in a pre-Olympic exhi. He’s just fashioned a triple double.
The Ville’s next game is Monday evening against somebody or another.
— c d kaplan