Circus over, Cardinals basketball back home

The season opener is in the books, and with it went the pregame buzz about Pitino vs. Pitino, teams playing on a U.S. Coast Guard base or just the usual hype surrounding the start of a new hoops campaign.

Alas, the circus is over, and the University of Louisville basketball team will begin a six-game home-stand with a 7 p.m. tip-off against Jacksonville State on Monday night. The game is part of the Global Sports Showcase, which will also feature Louisville games against Marshall, Savannah State and Cleveland State.

Louisville (1-0) has won 13 consecutive home openers, and the Cardinals are heavy favorites win their 14th in a row. By many preseason metrics, Jacksonville State (0-1) is the second-weakest opponent on U of L's schedule.

"(The Puerto Rico trip) was a lot of fun," Louisville guard Terry Rozier said. "We're just ready to get back to the city."

In games like this, where Louisville's talent should overwhelm Jacksonville State, the goal is simply getting better.

Louisville played well against Minnesota, limiting the Gophers to 22 percent shooting from 3-point range and forced 18 turnovers. Even better for U of L coach Rick Pitino, Louisville grabbed 29 of Minnesota's 38 missed shots, keeping the Gophers off the offensive glass.

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That was a preseason concern for Pitino, but Friday's effort was a positive sign that things have improved in that category.

What Pitino and his staff would like to see is the Wayne Blackshear that Louisville players and coaches praised all offseason for his work ethic and desire to steady the inconsistencies that consumed his first three seasons at U of L. Friday, Pitino said, was more Old Blackshear than New Blackshear.

The 6-foot-5 senior wing was 1 of 4 from the field, totaling seven points and four rebounds in 20 foul-addled minutes.

"We expect Wayne Blackshear to score, but he did what he did last year," Pitino said. "He got in early foul trouble and took himself out of the game."

Ultimately that's what games against opponents like Jacksonville State are all about — helping players find some confidence and giving inexperienced players a chance to play.

Expect more minutes from the six freshmen on Louisville's roster, and perhaps a lighter workload for Montrezl Harrell, Terry Rozier and Chris Jones, who scored 61 of Louisville's 81 points against Minnesota.

Reach U of L beat writer Jeff Greer at (502) 582-4044 and follow him on Twitter (@jeffgreer_cj).

Today's game

Jacksonville St. at U of L

Game time: 7 p.m. Site: KFC Yum! Center. Line: Louisville by 33. Series: First meeting. Television: ESPN3.com. Radio: WKRD-790.