Pitino Previews Wednesday's Game against Providence
January 05, 2010 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2010
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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 game against Providence. The Cards and Friars will tip off at 7:02 p.m. ET at Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., and the game will be televised regionally by the BIG EAST Network/WHAS-TV.
U of L returns to BIG EAST Conference action and plays its second straight game on the road. Louisville lost for the first time in six games as the Cardinals fell 71-62 at Kentucky last Saturday. Jerry Smith and Edgar Sosa scored 11 apiece to lead the Cards.
Providence (9-5, 1-1 BIG EAST) has won two of its last three games, including claiming a victory at St. John's on Sunday in its last game. Senior guard Sharaud Curry scored a season-high 26 points and handed out five assists to lead Providence, which forced 23 turnovers and collected 16 steals. After trailing, 54-50 with under eight minutes remaining, the Friars closed the game on a 24-5 run.
Providence is among the nation's top 25 teams in scoring offense (83.4 points per game, 15th in the nation), three-point field goals per game (8.1, 37th), turnovers (12.1, 39th) and rebounding margin (+5.9, 45th). The Friars are o. 78 in the ratings percentage index (RPI) and is no. 81 in the Sagarin Ratings through Jan. 3.
Louisville leads the series 9-4 and has won the last eight straight meetings. The Cardinals prevailed twice over the Friars last season, winning 94-76 in Freedom Hall (2/18/09) and 73-55 in the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST Conference Tournament in New York (3/12/09).
GAME FACTS - Louisville (10-4, 1-0) vs. Providence (9-5, 1-1)
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 6
Time: 7:02 p.m. ET
Site: Dunkin' Donuts Center (12,600), Providence, R.I.
TV: BIG EAST Network (WHAS-TV, Ch. 11 in Louisville) will televise the game with Carter Blackburn (play-by-play) and LaPhonso Ellis (analyst)
Radio: WHAS (840 AM) with Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (analyst)
SIRIUS: SIRIUS Satellite Radio Ch. 153
Series History: U of L leads 9-4 all-time (5-0 in Louisville, 3-2 in Providence, 1-2 neutral)
National Ranking: Neither team is ranked in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll and Associated Press Poll this week.BR> Officials: Tim Higgins, Earl Walton, Pat Driscoll
Next U of L Game: Jan. 9 vs. St. John's, noon ET (BIG EAST Network/WHAS-TV)
