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Pat Kelsey reveals Louisville's mindset on offense is to 'hunt big advantage shots'

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•about 12 hours•

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Nov 4, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey looks on during the second half against the Morehead State Eagles at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Morehead State 93-45. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

Louisville got a massive road victory over Syracuse on Tuesday, continuing their surprising start in ACC play. Following the game, a reporter pointed out to Pat Kelsey his team’s shooting splits home and away. For some reason, Louisville shoots better when away from the KFC Yum! Center.

Kelsey does not believe there is much into it, saying the team’s mentality is the same. The goal is to “hunt big advantage shots” on every possession. He explained the thought process and what he considers advantage shots.

“We hunt big advantage shots,” Kelsey said after taking down Syracuse. “Throughout the course of this year, the majority of our shots are big advantage shots. Our guys give up good and get great and when we generate big advantage shots, you’re in range, you’re in rhythm, you shoot it every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Then we’ll crash the glass and get a second opportunity.”

The offensive rebound opportunities are why Kelsey does not care too much about makes or misses. Louisville is one of the better teams on the offensive glass, snagging around 12.7 per game — good enough for No. 63 in the country.

In the massive win against Pitt on Saturday, Louisville snagged 14 of them. The number did dip a little against Syracuse, securing eight vs. the Orange. Luckily, both resulted in wins.

Process appears to be Kelsey’s big sticking point. If the players can execute the type of shots the UL head coach wants, it’s a win in his book.

“I don’t get caught up in makes and misses, I’m about hunting great,” Kelsey said. “If we’re getting great ones, I sleep like a baby. Fold my arms, smile, whether it goes in or not.”

Two of the next three games for Louisville will be at home. Virginia comes to town on Saturday and a week later, the Cardinals host Wake Forest. A first-ever trip to Dallas for an ACC showdown against SMU separates the matchups.

Stats tell us Louisville is more likely to shoot better against SMU, for whatever reason. Kelsey is just trying to make sure those big advantage shots continue to get up. It’s what works best for his system and early on in Kelsey’s tenure with the program, the results have been quite good.