Siva, Hancock Named Cardinals' 2012-13 Captains
April 16, 2012 | Men's Basketball
April 16, 2012
PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO
Rick Pitino | Luke Hancock
PRESS CONFERENCE AUDIO
Rick Pitino | Luke Hancock
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville senior guard Peyton Siva and junior guard/forward Luke Hancock have been named as co-captains for the Cardinals' 2012-13 men's basketball team, head coach Rick Pitino announced on Monday.
The Cardinals' starting point guard from Seattle, Wash., Siva averaged 9.1 points, 5.6 assists (fourth in the BIG EAST) and 1.7 steals (seventh in BIG EAST) last season. His 449 career assists rank eighth among UofL all-time assist leaders and his 211 assists in 2011-12 were the second highest ever for a UofL single season. UofL was 22-3 when Siva had five or more assists in a game, 12-1 when he had more than one steal, and 15-3 when he scored in double figures. He was named to the 2011-12 Capital One District 2 Academic All-District 2 men's basketball first team.
Siva particularly shined in the postseason. The Most Outstanding Player of the 2012 BIG EAST Championship, Siva averaged 11.3 points, 6.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals in the Cardinals' nine postseason games (4 BIG EAST, 5 NCAA). He was named to the West Region All-Tournament team after nine assists against Michigan State and nine points, eight assists and just one turnover against Florida in the regional championship game.
From Roanoke, Va., the 6-5 Hancock sat out the 2011-12 season after transferring from George Mason. He averaged 10.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and a team-high 4.3 assists as a sophomore in helping George Mason post a 27-7 record and reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2010-11. He connected on 49.4 percent from the field, 35.9 percent from 3-point range, and 81 percent at the free throw line.
Hancock totaled 18 points, five assists and three rebounds against Villanova in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament and his 3-pointer with 21 seconds left put the Patriots ahead for good in a 61-57 upset victory. He was a third-team All-Colonial Athletic Association selection as a sophomore when he scored in double figures on 19 occasions and handed out five or more assists 11 times.
UofL returns 12 lettermen next year from its successful 2011-12 season in which the Cardinals won 30 games - the sixth-most in school history - won the BIG EAST Conference tournament championship and reached the school's ninth NCAA Final Four.
Pitino, Lieberman, Swopshire, Justice Depart
Richard Pitino, who served as associate coach at UofL the past season, has been named head coach at Florida International University. He becomes the 25th former assistant coach or player under UofL head coach Rick Pitino who has risen to a collegiate head coaching position. UofL Director of Basketball Operations Mark Lieberman and assistant video coordinator Casey Stanley also will leave the Cardinals to join Richard Pitino at FIU.
Jared Swopshire, who will graduate from UofL in May with a degree in sport administration, will play his final season of eligibility at Northwestern. Swopshire averaged 3.3 points and 2.8 rebounds in helping the Cardinals to a 30-10 record, playing 15 minutes a game during the post-season. He started 23 games during his three years with the Cardinals.
Sophomore guard Elisha Justice will transfer to Pikeville University for his remaining two collegiate playing seasons. He will be able to play immediately next season at the NAIA school located in his hometown area. Justice saw action in 25 games this season, including playing nine minutes against Davidson in the NCAA Championship Second Round. He had 42 assists and just 26 turnovers in his two seasons.
