Pitino Previews Wednesday's Exhibition Finale against Bellarmine
November 03, 2009 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 3, 2009
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville men's basketball head coach Rick Pitino met with members of the media on Tuesday at the Yum! Center to preview Wednesday's exhibition finale against Bellarmine. The Cards and Knights will tip off at 7:07 p.m. ET at Freedom Hall and the game will be televised by WHAS-TV in Louisville.
Coached by former U of L assistant Scott Davenport, Bellarmine is the preseason no. 1 choice in the nation in Division II by The Sporting News and Basketball Times (also: no. 2 nationally by NABC, no.5 by the Division II Bulletin). The Knights return four starters from its 2008-09 team that produced a school record 26 victories (26-7) and made their first appearance in the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 since 1989. U of L has a 13-0 all-time record against Bellarmine including a 2005 exhibition game, last facing the Knights during the regular season on Dec. 10, 2006 as the Cardinals prevailed 76-64.
U of L won its first exhibition, beating Georgetown College 80-68 last Wednesday. Sophomore forward Samardo Samuels led all scorers with 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting, while sophomore guard Kyle Kuric added 15 to lead the Cards. Samuels, a preseason All-BIG EAST selection, also had a team-high 11 boards and three blocked shots. The Cards held a 50-38 rebounding advantage and outscored the Tigers 44-20 in the paint. Louisville converted 20 Georgetown turnovers into 18 points and held the Tigers to just 33.3 percent (19-of-57) shooting from the field.
Louisville will open regular-season play on Nov. 17 against Arkansas in the Hall of Fame Showcase in St. Louis, Mo.
GAME FACTS - Louisville vs. Bellarmine
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 3
Time: 7:07 p.m. ET
Site: Crum Court / Freedom Hall (18,865), Louisville, Ky. (UofL 669-137 all-time in Freedom Hall)
TV: WHAS (Ch. 11 in Louisville) will televise the game with Drew Deener (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (analyst)
Radio: WKRD (790 AM, 101.7 FM) with Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Doug Ormay (analyst)
SIRIUS: Game not available on SIRIUS radio
Series History: U of L leads 12-0 all-time (11-0 in Louisville, 1-0 in Knights Hall; plus 1-0 in exhibition games)
Last Meeting: U of L 76, Bellarmine 64 (Dec. 10, 2006 in Freedom Hall)
Satellite Coordinates: AMC 6, Transponder K21V, (KU digital; downlink frequency 12111 vertical; data rate: 18.30Mb; symbol: 13.235)
Officials: J.D. Collins, Todd Williams, Chris Beaver
Next U of L Game: Nov. 17 vs. Arkansas in Hall of Fame Showcase, Scotttrade Center, St. Louis, Mo., 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
