text: Louisville basketball: How can Cardinals keep up momentum at Miami?
  How can Louisville men's basketball keep its road-win momentum going at Miami?
  Pay close attention to Chris Mack's virtual press conferences and you'll usually find a gem of a quote buried between answers about ball-screens and blocking out. Friday, it came after a query regarding No. 18 Louisville's second game in six days, an 8 p.m. outing Saturday at Miami.
  Mack made no bones about the start time, which follows Wednesday's late-night victory at Wake Forest. That game tipped off at 8:30 p.m.
  "I don't like the times. I think it's ridiculous. I mean, I don't know how many extra viewers we're going to get in an 8 p.m. game versus playing us at noon. I think the ACC made a mistake when they did that. But we'll play the game. We're not going to make excuses," Mack said. "Hell, college guys, they're up til 2 and 3 in the morning anyway, right? It's guys like me that have a tendency to fall asleep in the second half. Or some fans probably feel I do fall asleep in the second half."
  Mack deadpanned that last part, but the Cardinals (9-1, 4-0 ACC) have to be on their toes to claim a sixth straight win and remain atop the league standings. The good news is that Louisville has played well on the road — save the disaster at Wisconsin — and enters the Miami game with the country's 26th-best defensive efficiency per KenPom.com.
  See also:Chris Mack 'tickled pink' about growth of freshman JJ Traynor
  The Hurricanes (5-6, 1-5) tumbled 20 slots in the same stat after losing Tuesday to a Boston College team that made a staggering 18-of-35 3 pointers. Miami may lead the ACC in 2-point defense (42.7%), but it's third from last in 3-point defense (37.2%).
  That's only part of the story for Jim Larranaga's team, which has struggled mightily with injuries and close misses. Elias Sports Bureau said Miami is the second team in ACC history to lose three straight games by 5 points or fewer, same as 1989-90 Georgia Tech. Those defeats were dealt by Virginia Tech, Clemson and North Carolina.
  The Hurricanes have played nine games without senior dynamo Chris Lykes after he hurt his ankle in the second game of the season. Louisville knows Lykes well. He averaged 18 points in the teams' last three meetings. The Cards also are acquainted with senior guard Kameron McGusty, who has been sidelined six of the last seven games with a hamstring injury.
  Neither guard played at Boston College.
  "We know who Chris Lykes is. He's a magician with the ball. He's quick. He can score it. McGusty is really, really good. He's got good size for a perimeter player. If those guys play, we're well aware. It doesn't really change a whole lot of how they play. It's not all of a sudden like they have a run game and they've been a pass-oriented team leading up to it. It doesn't change a whole lot. Obviously they'd have a lot more talent on the floor," Mack said.
  Nysier Brooks, a 7-foot center who sat out last season at Miami after transferring from Cincinnati, faced Mack when he was at Xavier. Louisville's coverage of Brooks and other frontcourt players is an intriguing subplot because of the Cardinals' struggles with post defense at Wake Forest.
  Earlier:Louisville basketball ascends to season-best rankings in both major polls
  Post defense wasn't a problem in U of L's prior games, but starter Jae'Lyn Withers also sustained two early fouls against Wake Forest and retreated to the bench early. He fouled out after playing eight total minutes.
  "Being able to be aggressive without fouling will be huge for us. And just staying in constant communication with each other on the floor and knowing where guys are and just playing with high energy," freshman Dre Davis said.
  Mack said sophomore Quinn Slazinski banged up his shin at Wake Forest and hasn't practiced since the game but should be good to go at Miami. Aidan Igiehon is expected to miss a week or two due to his ongoing groin injury, which was exacerbated by a recent sprinting drill.
  Louisville has a lightning quick turnaround after the Miami game. It hosts Florida State at 7 p.m. Monday, some 45 hours after the game against the Hurricanes, and then catches a break with two games in the ensuing 12 days (barring any made-up contests from earlier postponements).
  If there's a silver lining ahead, it's that Louisville is free of late-night games until hosting Pittsburgh Feb. 10. That outing starts at 9 p.m.