Pitino, Samuels Preview Saturday's Game against Villanova
January 09, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2009
Audio Clips
- All audio files require the latest version of the FREE Real Player.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville men's basketball head coach Rick Pitino and freshman center Samardo Samuels met with members of the media on Friday at the Yum! Center to preview Saturday's game against Villanova. The Cards and Wildcats will tip off at noon at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pa. in front of a nationally televised audience on ESPN.
Louisville will remain on the road for its second BIG EAST Conference game of the year and their seventh straight nationally televised game. U of L won its league opener 71-57 at USF on Wednesday as Earl Clark totaled 22 points, nine rebounds and four steals for the Cardinals. Clark and Samuels lead the Cards with 13.5 points and 1.69 blocks per game apiece.
Villanova (13-2, 1-1 BIG EAST), 18th nationally by AP and 17th in the ESPN/USA Today poll, has won five of its last six games, including 89-85 in overtime at Seton Hall on Tuesday as Scottie Reynolds poured in 40 points and Dante Cunningham added 21 points and 13 rebounds. Cunningham leads the Wildcats in scoring (17.1 ppg) and rebounding (7.9) while Reynolds is Villanova's assist leader (4.1) and No. 2 scorer (15.9).
GAME FACTS - Louisville (10-3, 1-0 BIG EAST) vs. Villanova (13-2, 1-1 BIG EAST)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 10
Time: Noon ET
Site: Wachovia Center (20,056), Philadelphia, Pa.
TV: ESPN will televise the game with Sean McDonough (play-by-play) and Len Elmore (analyst)
Radio: WKRD (790 AM, 101.7 FM) with Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (analyst)
SIRIUS: SIRIUS Satellite Radio Ch. 127
Series History: Tied 6-6 all-time (2-1 in Louisville, 1-4 in Philadelphia, 3-1 neutral)
Last Meeting: U of L 68, Villanova 54 (March 2, 2008 in Freedom Hall)
National Rankings: U of L is ranked 21st in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll and 23rd in the Associated Press Poll this week; Villanova is ranked 17th in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' poll and 18th in the AP poll.
Next U of L Game: Jan. 12 vs. Notre Dame, 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
