Men's Basketball Plays at Villanova on Tuesday
January 21, 2013 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 21, 2013
| No. 5/5 Louisville at Villanova | |||
| Date: Tuesday, Jan. 22 | |||
| Time: 8 p.m. ET | |||
| Location: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pa. | |||
| Game Notes: Louisville | Villanova | |||
| TV: BIG EAST Network (ESPN3) / Mike Corey (pbp), Bob Wenzel (analyst) | |||
| Radio: WKRD 790 | Listen Here | SIRIUS 113, XM 193 | |||
| Audio: | Rick Pitino | Video: | Rick Pitino |
| Podcast: | Click Here | ||
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville men's basketball team will play the first of two-straight road games, when it travels to Philadelphia, Pa., for a contest against Villanova on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at the Wells Fargo Center.
The game is set for an 8 p.m. tip and will be broadcast on the BIG EAST Network (WHAS-TV in Louisville), with Mike Corey (play-by-play) and Bob Wenzel (analyst) calling the action. The matchup also can be heard on WKRD 790 AM, as Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (analyst) broadcast the game.
Last time out, Louisville (16-2, 4-1 BIG EAST) lost its first game in nearly two months on Saturday, falling to then-No. 6 Syracuse, 70-68. The Cardinals, ranked No. 1 at the time, were led by Russ Smith's 25 points and four steals. Syracuse received double-digit point performances from four players, including Brandon Triche's team-best 23. Louisville recorded 12 steals and forced 16 Syracuse turnovers, eight coming from Michael Carter-Williams. Conversely, the Cardinals were the first team this season to have less than 10 turnovers against the Orange's defense.
The Cardinals, No. 5 in both major polls this week, continue to rank among the country's elite statistically. Louisville is listed at No. 2 in turnover margin (+7.4), No. 3 in steals per game (11.4), No. 5 in scoring margin (+19.2) and 15th in scoring defense (57.2). Individually, Smith ranks 18th in steals per game (2.44) and 22nd in points per game (19.3).
Villanova (11-7, 2-3) dropped a three-point decision in its last game, falling to Providence, 69-66, on Saturday. JayVaughn Pinkston came off the bench for 20 points in the loss. The Wildcats had trouble maintaining possession of the ball throughout the game, turning the ball over 25 times, which translated into 30 points for Providence. Bryce Cotton led the Friars with 24 points, while Vincent Council chipped in with 15 points and five assists.
The Wildcats are under the direction of 12th-year head coach Jay Wright, who's directed the program to seven NCAA appearances. This season, Villanova was picked to finish 12th in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll. Currently, Pinkston leads the team with 13.3 points per game, while Mouphtaou Yarou is averaging a team-best 5.9 rebounds per game.
GAME FACTS - Louisville at Villanova
Date: Tuesday, Jan. 22
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Site: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pa.
TV: The BIG EAST Network (WHAS-TV in Louisville) will broadcast the game, with Mike Corey (play-by-play) and Bob Wenzel (analyst) calling the action.
Radio: The game is available on WKRD 790 AM, with Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (analyst) calling the game.
SIRUS: The game will be available on SIRUS channel 113 and XM channel 193.
Series History: Louisville leads the all-time series, 9-8 (3-2 in Louisville, 2-5 at Villanova, 4-1 neutral).
Officials: Tony Greene, John Higgins, Earl Walton
Next U of L Game: Saturday, Jan. 26 at Georgetown, Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., Noon ET (ESPN)
