Louisville fans got another look at the new Cardinal men’s basketball team in its second Red and White Scrimmage on Saturday, Oct. 17. The red team, or second team, defeated the white team, the starters, 97-81. Head Coach Rick Pitino didn’t take questions after the scrimmage, but he gave a statement in which he highlighted the promise on offense.
“It’s going to be exciting because we can shoot,” Pitino said. “We can shoot free throws, which is a welcome sign, and I think we’ve got a lot of potential, because our young guys are going to grow, get better and better. I know you are going to get into the locker room and talk to the most important guys, the guys that are doing the work.”
Freshman forward Deng Adel had an excellent showing, leading all scorers with 35 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Adel made 12 of his 18 shot attempts and was 9 of ten from the charity stripe.
“This, by far, is the best freshman class I’ve had here at Louisville,” Pitino said. “They are all really, really talented. And probably as good as Deng is, Ray Spalding has the most upside of all of them. He’s not there yet, but has great upside—very talented class. I was very impressed with the job Damion Lee and Deng Adel did tonight.”
Lee had 33 points and 13 rebounds with only one turnover all day. He was extremely efficient on offense and defense, racking up five steals and 10 defensive rebounds. After the game, he and Adel talked about their friendship and how it helps both of them succeed.
“He was one of the first guys to call me when I committed here,” Lee said. “That was really impressive to me. I know I wouldn’t necessarily have reached out as a freshman to an older guy that’s coming here. Ever since we’ve been here, off the court we hang out all of the time but between the lines, it’s war. I think our games really feed off each other well. His game is so great, and to be that young, I’m in awe of someone like that.”
Team captain and now the veteran on the squad, Mangok Mathiang didn’t play in the first scrimmage, but he played with protective eyewear on Saturday afternoon after an eye injury. Mathiang had 15 points and nine rebounds, with four steals and three blocks.
One of the stars of this freshman class, Ray Spalding, didn’t play in the scrimmage due to a sprained ankle.
Other notable performers were Chinanu Onuaku, Trey Lewis and Jaylen Johnson. Lewis had 14 points on the night, but just three rebounds. Onuaku and Johnson combined for 16 points, 16 personal fouls and 13 turnovers.
Pitino offered the most concise assessment towards the end of the scrimmage in front of the fans and the team.
“There’s good and bad in every scrimmage,” Pitino said. “But when your second-string scores 95 points and beats your first team, it’s a good thing. When your starters give up 95 points, it’s not a good thing.”
Photo by Wade Morgen / The Louisville Cardinal
