TAMPA, Fla. -- Louisville sophomore Chane Behanan believes his spectacular behind-the-back assist in Sunday's 59-41 win over the University of South Florida could make for his first ESPN SportsCenter highlight.

"Hopefully, the (NBA) All-Star game doesn't take it all up," Behanan said with a smile.

With 8 minutes left, Behanan raced out of bounds along the right side before hitting guard Russ Smith in stride for a layup, padding the 12th-ranked Cardinals' double-digit lead.

"An incredible play," coach Rick Pitino said. "A pretty special play."

But it was also a fitting play for the Cardinals (21-5, 9-4 Big East), whose pressure defense and pinpoint passing were big reasons for their blowout over the Bulls. USF (10-15, 1-12), which lost its eighth straight game, stayed within six points early in the second half, but had too many long scoreless stretches, shooting just 24.5 percent and turning it over 16 times.

"They're a great defensive team," USF freshman guard Javontae Hawkins said. "I think they're the No. 1 defensive team in the country, so you've got to give them credit."

The Cardinals struggled from 3-point range, going just 2 for 13, but were able to get a lot of easy baskets in transition, scoring 23 of their 59 points off turnovers.

Pitino said Smith was their "catalyst," with a team-high 15 points and four assists.

"We're not the greatest shooting team, (but) that doesn't mean we can't be a great scoring team," Pitino said. "As long as you pass the ball and score off your defense, like we did (Sunday). We've got to get layups to be successful, and we did (Sunday)."

The Bulls don't have the inside presence they had in last year's NCAA Tournament run, resulting in their fall to last place in the Big East. They rely more on outside shots, and used five first-half 3-pointers in the first half to cut Louisville's 16-point lead down to eight at the break.