Kuric, Smith, Siva Named 2011-12 Tri-Captains
August 17, 2011 | Men's Basketball
Aug. 17, 2011
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino has announced that seniors Kyle Kuric and Chris Smith, and junior Peyton Siva have been named tri-captains for the 2011-12 men's basketball team.
"We usually have seniors be our captain or captains, but Peyton is the exception to the rule," said Pitino. "His leadership abilities are unparalleled. He's joining Kyle and Chris, who are also terrific leaders by example in their dedication to the game."
A 6-4 guard/forward from Evansville, Ind., Kuric was third in the BIG EAST in three-point field goal percentage (.449) and sixth in field-goal percentage (.514). His 70 three-pointers on the year were 11th most for a U of L player in a single season. The top returning scorer for the Cardinals at 10.8 points per game, he totaled 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals against the Real Deal Shockers on Aug. 12 during the Cardinals' foreign trip to the Bahamas.
A 6-2 guard from Millstone, N.J., Smith started 20 of the Cardinals last 26 games a year ago while averaging 9.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the season. He scored in double figures on 16 occasions and ranked ninth in the BIG EAST in three-point field goal percentage (.404). He and Siva were the only Cardinals to play in all 35 games last season. He totaled 15 points, six rebounds and four assists in 20 minutes of action in the Cardinals' 115-54 victory over the Commonwealth Giants in the Bahamas on Aug. 11.
Siva, a 5-11 point guard from Seattle, Wash., was second in the BIG EAST in steals last season (2.0, 37th in the nation) and was fourth in assists (5.2, 43rd in the nation). His 182 assists were the fourth most ever in a U of L single season and his 69 steals ranked eighth all-time. He was a BIG EAST All-Tournament selection when he averaged 12.0 points, 7.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds in helping the Cardinals reach the championship game. He averaged 9.9 points a game last year, scoring a career-best 29 at Western Kentucky.
Dec. 23 Game vs. Western Kentucky on ESPN2
U of L's Dec. 23 men's basketball game against Western Kentucky in the KFC Yum! Center will be televised by ESPN2 at 7 p.m. The Hilltoppers have a 39-35 all-time series advantage, but the Cardinals have hit the century mark in winning the last two meetings: 102-79 in Louisville on Dec. 19, 2009; and 114-82 in Bowling Green on Dec. 22, 2010.
Louisville's complete men's basketball schedule is expected to be released in early September.
