2000-01 Men's Hoop Slate Features 14 Tournament Teams
August 21, 2000 | Men's Basketball
Aug. 21, 2000
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - An appearance in the Maui Classic, at least 14 opponents which participated in post-season action last season, a full league slate in Conference USA, and 17 home games in Freedom Hall highlight the 2000-01 University of Louisville men's basketball schedule.
U of L's opponents won nearly 60 percent of their games a year ago, posting a collective 402-275 record last season, excluding the Maui Classic Field. The Cardinals will face at least 14 opponents which participated in post-season tournament action a year ago, including at least nine that reached the NCAA Tournament. Nearly two-thirds of U of L's opponents participated in post season competition last March.
"It's another typically tough, challenging schedule," said U of L Men's Basketball Coach Denny Crum. "It's a good blend of quality regional and national opponents that should help us to prepare well to be our best by season's end. Our schedule has annually ranked among the nation's toughest."
With a pair of starters returning from last season's 19-12 unit that made U of L's 29th NCAA Tournament appearance, the Cardinals face the California All-Stars in an exhibition game on Nov. 1, the first of 17 home games in Freedom Hall. U of L opens the 2000-01 season at Hawaii on Nov. 17, the 26th time in Crum's 30 seasons that the Cards have opened their season on the road.
After its season-opening stop on Oahu, the Cardinals will travel to Maui, Hawaii for the 17th Annual Maui Invitational on Nov. 20-22. The field includes Arizona, Connecticut, Dayton, Illinois, Maryland, UNLV and host Chaminade. Seven of the eight participants (all but Chaminade) reached the NCAA Tournament last season, producing a collective 176-79 record (.701) a year ago. Pairings for the tournament have not been assigned.
The Cardinals play three intrastate foes in Freedom Hall this season including Western Kentucky (Dec. 9), Murray State (Dec. 21) and Kentucky (Jan. 2).
U of L begins Conference USA play at Saint Louis on Jan. 6. Once league competition begins, the Cards' Feb. 17 contest at Utah is the only non-conference game the remainder of the season for U of L. The C-USA Tournament will be staged in Louisville's Freedom Hall on March 7-10.
Over the last 17 years, all but seven U of L basketball games have been televised on either a live or delayed basis. WDRB-TV (Channel 41), a FOX affiliate in Louisville, or its sister station WFTE-TV (Channel 58), will televise several U of L games through local origination. All U of L games will be broadcast on 50,000-watt clear-channel WHAS Radio (840 AM) in Louisville and other affiliates throughout the region.
Television appearances and game times have not been finalized.
The complete 2000-01 schedule is as follows:
Nov. 1, California All-Stars (exhibition), Nov. 17, at Hawaii, Nov. 20-22, at Maui Classic (participants include Arizona, Connecticut, Dayton, Illinois, Louisville, Maryland, UNLV and host Chaminade), Nov. 30, at Alabama.
Dec. 2, Global Sports (exhibition), Dec. 5, Georgetown, Dec. 9, Western Kentucky, Dec. 16, at South Alabama, Dec. 18, Loyola-Chicago, Dec. 21, Murray State, Dec. 23, Dayton, Dec. 30, Oregon.
Jan. 2, Kentucky, Jan. 6, at Saint Louis, Jan. 10, at Tulane, Jan. 13, Cincinnati, Jan. 17, Houston, Jan. 21, at Southern Mississippi, Jan. 24, at Cincinnati, Jan. 27, DePaul, Jan. 31, at South Florida.
Feb. 3, Saint Louis, Feb. 8, Marquette, Feb. 11, Charlotte, Feb. 14, at DePaul, Feb. 17, at Utah, Feb. 21, at Charlotte, Feb. 24, at Marquette, Feb. 27, UAB, March 3, Memphis.
March 7-10, Conference USA Tournament at Louisville, Ky.
