LOUISVILLE at #3 KENTUCKY
When: 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010
Where: Rupp Arena; Lexington, Ky.
TV: CBS
Radio: Big Blue Radio Network
Last Meeting: Jan. 4, 2009 – @Louisville 74, UK 71
Records: Louisville (10-3); Kentucky (14-0)
Notes: Kentucky leads the all-time series between heated rivals 26-14, including 14-5 in Lexington…The programs have split the past eight meetings but Louisville has claimed the past two showdowns…Last year’s three-point game was the only one of the past four decided by single digits…The schools separated by 75 miles have played every season beginning with the 1982-83 campaign after not meeting since 1958-59 prior to that…UK forward Patrick Patterson had 22 points and 15 rebounds in last season’s game…Louisville coach Rick Pitino entered his ninth season at Louisville with a record of 200-73 at the school…Pitino went 219-50 with a national title and three Final Fours in eight seasons at UK.
Louisville’s 2009-10 Results
Nov. 17 – vs. Arkansas^ (W, 96-66)
Nov. 21 – EAST TENNESSEE ST. (69-56)
Nov. 22 – MORGAN ST. (W, 90-81)
Nov. 23 – APPALACHIAN ST. (W, 80-53)
Nov. 28 – at UNLV (L, 71-76)
Dec. 2 – STETSON (W, 80-48)
Dec. 5 – CHARLOTTE (L, 65-87)
Dec. 12 – WESTERN CAROLINA (L, 83-91)
Dec. 16 – ORAL ROBERTS (W, 94-57)
Dec. 19 – WESTERN KENTUCKY (W, 102-75)
Dec. 23 – UL-LAFAYETTE (W, 84-69)
Dec. 27 – RADFORD (W, 79-53)
Dec. 30 – SOUTH FLORIDA (W, 73-52)
^St. Louis, Mo.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
CENTER OF ATTENTION
Edgar Sosa
Guard, 6-2, 175, Senior
2009-10 Statistics: 13.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists
Bio Buzz: Sosa has had an up and down career with the Cardinals, alternating between the next big thing and residing in coach Rick Pitino’s doghouse because of inconsistent play and sometimes a suspect attitude. The New York City native has done a better job of harnessing his game the past two seasons but there is always the possibility of Sosa getting too amped up and trying to take on everyone by himself, the very thing that got him in trouble in the past.
That said, it’s been a terrific season for the senior to this point. He ranks second on the Cardinals in scoring, easily has the most assists and has been hitting from three-point range at a career-high clip. There are also the good vibes of playing UK (anyone remember the game-winning rainbow three last season in the final seconds?) and at Rupp Arena (a career-high 31 points against Texas A&M as a freshman in the NCAA Tournament) so Sosa figures to be in a positive state of mind.
SUPPORTING CAST
Samardo Samuels
Forward, 6-9, 260, Sophomore
2009-10 Statistics: 16.4 points, 7.6 rebounds
Bio Buzz: There will be a fascinating battle in the post when these two teams meet, with some of the top big men of the last three recruiting classes going mano-a-mano on the block. Samuels leads the Cardinals in scoring but has been considered a little bit of a disappointment in some circles because of lackluster rebounding and an unwillingness to be physical. That doesn’t bode well for him considering Kentucky’s Patrick Patterson and DeMarcus Cousins thrive on being aggressive in the post.
Preston Knowles
Guard, 6-1, 190, Junior
2009-10 Statistics: 8.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Bio Buzz: Knowles, a Winchester, Ky. native, will be returning to the closest thing to a hometown game for him when he arrives at Rupp Arena, which is surely an impetus for him to come with his best game. It’s been a tough season thus far for one of the Cardinals’ emotional leaders thanks to a sprained thumb that cost him two games and has hindered his usually terrific three-point shooting. Knowles hasn’t been himself but he’s still been effective when he’s been on the floor.
Jerry Smith
Guard, 6-2, 200, Senior
2009-10 Statistics: 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds
Bio Buzz: Smith is the ultimate role player who always seems to pop up at the most opportune and critical moments for the Cardinals. There have been no shortage of game-winning shots that have come from the stroke of Smith the past few years but he has struggled with his shot early this season. Smith hit three daggers from long range against Kentucky last season but he may have his hands full keeping up with the Cats’ longer perimeter players. He’s also been in a horrific shooting slump, hitting just 4-of-20 shots from the field the past three games and only 23.1 percent from deep on the season.
Reginald Delk
Guard, 6-4, 200, Senior
2009-10 Statistics: 6.7 points, 3.0 rebounds
Bio Buzz: You can bet it will be a little bit of a weird moment for the Delk family when Reginald comes into Rupp Arena to face the school his uncle led to the 1996 national championship, especially with Tony Delk sitting on the bench at the other end of the floor. The family genes run deep with Reginald, who has shown the same deadeye stroke from three-point range this season that Tony did during his career playing for Rick Pitino.
[url=http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss/ncaab/SIG=12fk6so72/*http%3A//sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news?slug=rivals-348217&prov=rivals&type=lgns]More…[/url]
