Clearly, Louisville basketball has achieved unlikely results over the years.

Either by the final score, or by the type of win (or loss), or by the score at 00:00.

But I can’t for the life of me at this point, about half an hour after the bell rang, remember anything as wonderfully astonishing and improbable as what happened that day before Thanksgiving 2024.

Louisville 89, #14 Indiana 61.

Louisville 89, #14 Indiana 61.

Another look at the official box to make sure it’s not a typo that I remember correctly.

And another repeat. . .

. . . because my fingers enjoy typing so much.

Louisville 89, #14 Indiana 61.

And the absolute truth, to use a well-known cliché that is absolutely accurate: the game wasn’t nearly as close.

With 5:45 left, Kasean Pryor stole the ball, charged downfield and hit a quick break slam, making the score 82-45.

+37.

* * * * *

Game ball to Pat Kelsey.

This man was so far superior to his counterpart on the other bench that it was ridiculous. (At least in hindsight, I was still nervous at 74-40 at the 7:58 stoppage and wasn’t laughing at anything.)

The Cardinals’ defensive effort was intense, focused, well planned and well executed.

The Hoosiers had 23 turnovers.

Some were casual.

Most of them weren’t.

U of L rattled the Hoosiers from the opening tip.

Chucky Hepburn stole the rock on IU’s first possession. And scored. His first of seven steals. His first deuce with 16 points. To go with 10 assists.

I also essentially control the pace of the entire affair.

Okay, where was I?

Coach Kelsey, this is it.

What impressed me was how ready the Cardinals were. Their game was measured from the start. They did their O, but at a moderate pace to determine what would work and what wouldn’t.

The D was almost flawless.

Everything worked.

U of L had a lead of 8 at halftime.

How did PK’s assembled squad come together after the break?

Gave up a two. Then . . .

. . . J’Vonne Hadley two. Stop. J’Vonne Hadley two. Stop. Kasean Pryor Deuce. Stop. Noah Waterman triple. Stop. Pryor back on a dime from Chucky.

Time out from a beleaguered and confused Mike Woodson.

The 11-zip run increased the Cardinals’ lead to 48-31.

U of L never faltered.

So I try to support Pat Kelsey, but I keep getting in the way.

To be honest, I’m still confused too, but in the opposite way to Woodson’s manner.

This was a masterclass in planning and then execution.

Maturity.

* * * * *

Like the professor always says, you look good when you take your pictures.

U of L was 37/65. That’s 57%.

10/27 from the base of the resort’s waterslide. 37%

5/7 at the border. 71%.

In a game as rough* as the NBA of the 1990s, the Cardinals didn’t shoot a FT until 7:08 remained.

*The tournament sponsor is Bad Boy Mowers. Should have been Bad Boy Pistons by Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer, Rick Mahorn and Isiah Thomas.

* * * * *

At this time, the opponent for Turkey Day in Louisville has not yet been determined.

If West Virginia draws the Cardinals, it could be the Mountaineers.

I doubt it.

Most likely mighty Gonzaga. The Louisville could certainly offer compensation.

It. Will. Not. Object.

This victory had consequences.

Louisville basketball needed something like this.

Louisville basketball got this.

* * * * *

Two games in the U of L/IU series have always been my favorites.

The one that started the 84-85 campaign in the Assembly Hall. An IU alum with great seats who couldn’t come gave me his tickets. During the game, every time Milt Wagner touched the ball, a guy behind me would yell, “Put some mustard on the hot dog.”

After the Cards won 75-64, I turned around and handed the guy a box of mustard from the concession area without saying anything.

My other favorite was a win over Bobby Knight’s team at Freedom Hall at Christmas time.

I now have a clear and undisputed favorite U of L/IU game.

November 27, 2024.

Louisville 89, #14 Indiana 61, in a blowout that wasn’t nearly as close.

—CD Kaplan