Pitino, Chris Smith Preview BIG EAST Game at Cincinnati
February 15, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2011
Game Notes
Rick Pitino Audio | Chris Smith Audio
Rick Pitino on Podcast
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino and junior guard Chris Smith met with the media Tuesday afternoon to preview Wednesday's BIG EAST game at Cincinnati on Feb. 16 at Fifth Third Arena. The game is set for a 7:02 p.m. ET tip, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN, with John Saunders (play-by-play) and Fran Fraschilla (color) calling the action.
The 16th-ranked Cardinals (19-6, 8-4 BIG EAST) upset then-No. 12-ranked Syracuse, 73-69, on Feb. 12. Kyle Kuric had a game-high 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including a 5-of-7 stint from beyond the arc. Preston Knowles, who knocked down seven 3-pointers, tallied 22 points to go with four assists and four steals. Despite the Orange winning the overall battle on the boards, 34-31, Louisville came away with 13 offensive rebounds. Defensively, the Cardinals forced 15 Syracuse turnovers. Brandon Triche led Syracuse with 21 points, and Scoop Jardine added 20.
Cincinnati, which has lost three of its last five, enters Wednesday's game with a 19-6 overall mark, going 6-6 in the BIG EAST after a 59-57 loss to St. John's at home. The Red Storm watched a 12-point lead evaporate before coming back for the win. Sean Kilpatrick led the Bearcats with 15 points, while Dion Dixon chipped in 12 points. Cincinnati won the rebounding battle, 32-28, including 15 offensive boards. St. John's, which shot 50 percent (23-of-46) for the game, held Cincinnati to just 35.8 percent (19-of-53) from the field for the game.
The Bearcats are under the direction of Mick Cronin, who's in his fifth season with the program. He owns a 149-98 record in his eight years as a head coach, which includes an 80-74 mark with Cincinnati. In the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, Cincinnati was picked 12th. Yancy Gates was honored prior to the season, as he was tabbed a preseason all-BIG EAST honorable mention selection. Dixon leads the team, with 11.2 points per game, while Gates is registering 10.6 points and a team-leading 6.5 rebounds per game.
The Series - Louisville vs. Cincinnati
In a match up that dates back to 1921, Louisville owns the advantage in the all-time series with Cincinnati, 53-40. It is the Cardinals' most played The Cardinals have won six of the last nine contests, and the programs split the two meetings last year. During the regular season, Louisville defeated Cincinnati, 68-60, in Freedom Hall. Edgar Sosa and Samardo Samuels tallied 14 points apiece in the victory, and the Cardinals connected on seven 3-pointers. The two programs met again in the second round of the BIG EAST Championship, with the Bearcats posting a 69-66 victory despite Sosa's season-high 28 points. Yancy Gates led Cincinnati with 16 points.
GAME FACTS - Louisville at Cincinnati
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 16
Time: 7:02 p.m. ET
Site: Fifth Third Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio (13,176)
TV: ESPN will televise the game, with John Saunders (play-by-play) and Fran Fraschilla (color) calling the action.
Radio: WHAS (840 AM) will broadcast the game on radio, with Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (color) calling the action.
SIRIUS: Game will be available on SIRIUS Channel 155.
Series History: Louisville leads the all-time series, 53-40 (29-16 in Louisville, 22-21 in Cincinnati, 2-3 neutral).
Officials: Tim Higgins, Gene Steratore, John Gaffney
Next U of L Game: Friday, Feb. 18 vs. Connecticut, KFC Yum! Center, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)
