Pitino, Kuric Preview BIG EAST Game Against DePaul
February 04, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 4, 2011
Game Notes
Rick Pitino Audio | Kyle Kuric Audio
Rick Pitino on Podcast
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino and junior guard Kyle Kuric met with the media Friday afternoon to preview Saturday's BIG EAST home contest against DePaul on Feb. 5 at the KFC Yum! Center. The game is set for an 8:04 p.m. ET tip, and the game will be broadcast on the BIG EAST Network (Ch. 11 in Louisville), with John Sanders (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (color) calling the action.
The No. 15/13-ranked Cardinals (17-5, 6-3 BIG EAST) are coming off a three-point loss at 13th-ranked Georgetown, 62-59, on Jan. 31. Terrence Jennings scored a career-high 18 points, shooting 8-of-12 from the field, and grabbed seven rebounds, while Preston Knowles tallied 11 points. Despite the loss, Louisville out-powered Georgetown on the glass, with a 33-28 advantage, including 14 offensive rebounds, which translated into 20 second-chance points. On the opposite end, Georgetown mustered just five second-chance points. The Hoyas were led by Chris Wright, who poured in 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting.
DePaul, which has lost its last nine games, all conference contests, enters Saturday's game, with a 6-15 overall mark, going 0-9 in the BIG EAST. In their last game, the Blue Demons dropped an 83-58 decision to Notre Dame at home. Two DePaul players - Brandon Young (16 points) and Moses Morgan (10 points) - finished the game with double-digit point totals, while Cleveland Melvin led the team, with 10 rebounds. DePaul did win the battle on the glass, 36-35, grabbing 17 offensive rebounds for 14 second-chance points.
The Blue Demons are under the direction of Oliver Purnell, who's in his first season with the program. Prior to coming to DePaul, Purnell was Clemson's head coach for seven seasons, where he led the Tigers to six NCAA postseason appearances. He owns a career mark of 400-294. In the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, DePaul was picked to finish last. Melvin leads the team in scoring (14 points per game) and 34 blocks, while Krys Faber is first on the team in rebounding at 5.7 boards per contest.
The Series - Louisville vs. DePaul
Louisville holds the all-time series advantage over DePaul, 34-21, in a matchup that began in 1957. The Cardinals have own a 19-2 record against the Blue Demons since the two programs joined the same conferences (Conference USA, 1995-2005; BIG EAST, 2006-present). In the last meeting, Louisville defeated DePaul, 68-59, on Feb. 20 of last season in Chicago. Samardo Samuels had a team-high 14 points, while Edgar Sosa tallied 13 points and seven assists. Terrence Jennings recorded nine points, a season-high nine boards and four blocked shots. As a team, the Cardinals shot 49 percent (25-of-51) from the field and owned a 35-27 advantage on the glass. Mac Koshwal led the Blue Demons, with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Both teams met in Louisville two years ago (Feb. 15, 2009), with Louisville posting an impressive 99-54 victory. Preston Knowles scored 19 points in 13 minutes of action.
GAME FACTS - Louisville vs. DePaul
Date: Saturday, Feb. 5
Time: 8:04 p.m. ET
Site: KFC Yum! Center/Crum Court, Louisville, Ky. (22,000)
TV: The BIG EAST Network (WHAS, Ch. 11 in Louisville) will televise the game, with John Sanders (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (color) calling the action.
Radio: WKRD (790 AM, 101.7 FM) will broadcast the game on radio, with Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Doug Ormay (color) calling the action.
SIRIUS: Game will be available on SIRIUS Channel 122 and XM Channel 143.
Series History: Louisville leads the all-time series, 34-21 (19-7 in Louisville, 15-12 in Chicago, 0-2 neutral).
Officials: Michael Stephens, Gene Steratore, Paul Faia
Next U of L Game: Wednesday, Feb. 9 at Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind., Joyce Center, 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
