Just four days after a humiliating home defeat to Furman, the Louisville men’s basketball team bounced back in their most impressive performance of the young season to date.

The Cardinals hit 10 threes and shot 56.0 percent out of the field as a team in a 77-60 win for a Navy team that beat Virginia last week in Charlottesville.

Matt Cross came off the bench to knock down all four of his three-point attempts, ending with a team high of 14 points. Jae’Lyn Withers was also a perfect 4-for-4 off the field, taking 11 points that came with three steals. Noah Locke (12) and Sameull Williamson (13) also scored double-digit.

The most notable difference between Friday night and tonight was on the defensive. Louisville played with renewed energy and focus, resulting in 19 ball losses from a Navy team that is usually very close to the ball. The midshipmen were also limited to bleak 3v21 shooting from beyond the bow.

I can only speak for myself but after last week I just wanted to see focus and effort (besides a win) from these guys tonight. Basically, I wanted to see this team send everyone a message that it actually sucks. Consider this check box checked. Well, it shouldn’t even be a topic of conversation.

Execution can come and go, shooting can be interrupted, but it should go without saying to be locked in and play each game as if it were the most important game in basketball history. It has to be for this team to have a chance to be special.

For tonight, at least, the cards seemed to have that potential.

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