Rick Pitino stresses defensive activity and timely closeouts beyond the three-point arc.

“We have a defensive chart that if we get 35-plus deflections, which encompasses five different areas of defense — steals, tips from behind, blocked shots, actual deflections and loose ball recoveries — if we get 95 percent of that, don’t allow the opposition to shoot a high percentage from the 3-point line, we’ll win 95 percent of our games,” Pitino said.

Louisville ranks 17th in three-point field goal percentage defense and 8th in steal percentage.

“If I’m forcing 23 turnovers and only turning over 13, and I have that 10 differential, that’s meaningful,” said Pitino.