ONE DOWN, FIVE TO GO

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We have entered into the greatest time of the year for the college basketball fan. The NCAA is one of the purest forms of sports and it is always humbling and refreshing to see amateur athletes giving it their all on this grand stage. This is the time of year that no matter how big or small the school is every athlete gives it their all for the name on the front of the jersey. March Madness has started Cards fans and the journey to Atlanta for the Cardinals is now one game shorter after they took care of A&T tonight in Rupp Arena 79-48.

The Cards got to start off this tournament as the number one overall seed. A big part of their success this season and the reason they were able to win enough to reach that number one overall seed is because of their great defensive efforts. Tonight that defense was clicking on all cylinders. At times it was just downright relentless forcing A&T into 25 turnovers and getting 20 steals. Coach Pitino said after the game during his press conference that the Cards had 67 deflections. That is the highest total of the year. This defense just keeps getting better and better. Another thing that keeps improving with every game is the front-court production. Tonight the Cards scored over 40 points and dominated in the paint. They also dominated the offensive glass 12 to 4. Stephan Van Treese with another great rebounding night had 4 of those. Between Chane, Wayne, Montrezl and Gorgui they scored 36 of the Cards 79 points. Was great to see Wayne with a little more fire in his belly tonight. He loves the tournament. And if we can count on him to produce for the next 5 games be afraid rest of the field, be very afraid.

Our back-court duo of Russ and Peyton were very solid tonight. Russ had a great stat line of 23 points, 7 steals and 3 assist. He was the most active player on the floor offensively. Peyton just went about his business and really knows how to dominate a game very quietly. He just has those intangibles that are so valuable to this team. He had 5 steals to go along with 8 assist and really was solid.

One game down Cards fans and 5 more to go. We will now face the winner of the 8 seed Missouri vs 9 seed Colorado St match-up on Saturday. We have already faced Missouri earlier this season in the “Battle 4 Atlantis” tournament where the Cards beat the Tigers 84-61. I will have the break down of our next opponent once we find out who that will be.

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