Mike James impressed by Louisville's young players despite loss

Louisville‘s season has not gone according to plan — at all.

Saturday’s 76-62 loss to Notre Dame dropped the Cardinals to 2-19 on the season and 0-10 in the ACC. They now haven’t won in six weeks.

During a season like that, it can be tough to find silver linings when each games ends in defeat. But Mike James gave credit to some of his younger Louisville teammates who got some minutes against the Fighting Irish.

He first highlighted Emmanuel Okorafor, who played in his first game of the team

“I feel like all of them contributed, gave good energy to the team especially (Okorafor),” James said. “Even though he doesn’t really know all of the plays yet like down to a T or everything that we’re doing down to a T. He just came in to play hard and it’s showed. It give us a spark.

Okorafor finished eight points and five rebounds in 18 minutes. He only joined the Cardinals this month from the NBA Academy Africa.

James also gave credit to freshman Fabio Basili and Devin Ree for the work they did.

“Fabio did the same thing, came in, facilitated, knocked down a couple of shots. Devin came in, defended did his thing as well I give them a lot of credit. Even though like they haven’t played a lot of games, they still stayed ready and come in, contribute to the team.

Mike James wasn’t the only one to credit Louisville’s Emmanuel Okorafor

In addition to Mike James, Louisville coach Kenny Payne was a fan of Emmanuel Okorafor’s college basketball debut.

He said the energy and physicality Okorafor brings to the team is something the Cardinals have been lacking.

“Love what he gave us; could care less about the moving screens or the illegal screens. I love that,” Payne said. “We haven’t been able to really get that from any other big until this point. Love how he sets the screens and runs to the rim; love the fact that he caught some passes that weren’t great passes and finished. Love the fact that he’s vocal.”