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The atmosphere of the KFC Yum! Center just prior to Saturdays tip off of the annual Billy Minardi Classic, pitting the Cradinals against the 20th ranked UNLV Runnin Rebels, was peppered with excitement and anticipation as the home team sat ready to face their first true test since the season opener.
The Cards seemingly have much to gain and relatively nothing to lose, a dangerous combination for their competition. While the line would show the Cards as the underdog, a position that the team historically performs well in, Pitino’s men looked far from intimidated as they met their competition at center court.
The pace was set by the Rebels right out of the gate as they took a quick 7-0 lead. The cardinals scoring drought was halted by a tough Peyton Seva jumper at the 16:30 mark. From then on the Cards battled back behind an inspired effort from Chris Smith who finished the first half leading all scorers with 13 points, and a fiery performance by Kyle Kuric.
Kuric, who has not seen action in the teams last two contests while recovering from a concussion, returned with his usual high flying flare, and connected for three long range baskets to tie the game at 12 and then take the lead on the following possession.
Mike Marra suffered a cold start going 0-6 from the field, as did fellow veterans Preston Knowles and Terence Jennings, yet the Cardinals bench picked up the subsequent slack. Stellar play from the likes of George Goode, Kuric and Smith kept the Cards in the fight. The lead changed hands five times over the final two segments of the first and until the two minute mark, the home team looked poised to carry a lead into the locker room.
After a questionable call on what looked like a tremendous block by three Cardinal defenders, and a blocking foul that provoked Coach Pitino to have some choice words with the officials, moment swung to the rebels and the shooting of former UK guard Derek Jasper who took a 5 point lead into the half.
The beginning of the second half looked to be a carbon copy of the first as UNLV jumped out to an early nine point lead, but thanks to a jumpstart in offense by team captain Preston Knowles the deficit began to close.
The same constant seen throughout the game though was the play of Chris Smith and Kyle Kuric. Louisville tied the game at 47 off of a Smith steal and outlet pass to Kuric who was fouled on the fast break. Smith continued to come up big on both sides of the ball, even recording two blocked shots to go along with his 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Behind the jump started play of Knowles and a late spurt by Terrence Jennings, the Cards coasted to a double digit lead by the 4 minute mark, and comfortably found victory, 77-69.
Knowles electric 20 point second half earned him the games top scorer title, but the MVP honors for this years Billy Minardi Classic found themselves in the hands of sophomore transfer Chris Smith, who shows a glimpse of the true potential that lies within this inexperienced Cardinal basketball team.
