Men's Basketball Travels to Georgetown
January 25, 2013 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 25, 2013
| No. 5/5 Louisville at Georgetown | |||
| Date: Saturday, Jan. 26 | |||
| Time: Noon ET | |||
| Location: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C. | |||
| Game Notes: Louisville | Georgetown | |||
| TV: ESPN (WatchESPN) / Mike Patrick (pbp), Len Elmore (analyst) | |||
| Radio: WKRD 790 | Listen Here | SIRIUS 91, XM 91 | |||
| Audio: | Rick Pitino | Video: | Rick Pitino |
| Podcast: | Click Here | ||
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville men's basketball team looks to rebound from consecutive losses this Saturday, Jan. 24, when it travels to Washington D.C., to face Georgetown in the Verizon Center.
The game is set for a 12 p.m. tip and will broadcast on ESPN, with Mike Patrick (play-by-play) and Len Elmore (analyst) calling the action. The contest also can be heard on WKRD 790 AM, as Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (analyst) call the game.
Last time out, Louisville (16-3, 4-2 BIG EAST) suffered its third loss of the season at Villanova, 73-64, in the Wells Fargo Center. Wayne Blackshear led all scorers with 17 points and four steals, going 6-of-11 from the field, including a career-best 5-of-8 from behind the arc. Peyton Siva finished the game with a double-double, scoring 15 points while dishing out a career-high 13 assists. Villanova received double-digit point performances from five players, including Ryan Arcidiacono's team-best 15 points. The Cardinals, who have recorded double-digit steals in all but three games, finished with 13 steals and forced 19 Villanova turnovers.
Despite the rough patch, the Cardinals continue to rank among the country's elite statistically. Louisville is ranked second in the nation in turnover margin (+7.2) behind national leader VCU, third in steals per game (11.5), sixth in scoring margin (17.7), and 20th in scoring defense (58.0). Individually, Russ Smith ranks 20th nationally in steals (2.4/game) and Siva ranks 42nd (2.16/game). In BIG EAST play, Gorgui Dieng ranks first in rebounds (12.3/game) and offensive rebounds (4.3) and seconded in block shots (2.8), while Chane Behanan is second in steals (2.6) and Siva is third in assists (6.5).
Georgetown (13-4, 3-3) has won three of its last four contests, with its latest victory coming at No. 23/24 Notre Dame on Jan. 21, 63-47. Otto Porter's 19 points, two blocks and two steals led the Hoyas, and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera added 14 points. The Hoyas showcased great ball movement the game and ended up with 19 assists on 24 made baskets.
The Hoyas are under the direction of John Thompson III, who's in his ninth year at the helm of the program. He's guided Georgetown to a 197-86 mark and six NCAA tournament appearances. In four of those appearances, Thompson has guided them to two No. 2 seeds and two No. 3 seeds. This season, Georgetown was picked to finish sixth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll.
In conference play, the Hoyas rank first in scoring defense (57.7), 3-point percentage defense (.279), and rebounding defense (30.7). They are second in 3-point percentage (.363), and third in field goal percentage (.458). Individually, Porter ranks second in defensive rebounds (6.5), fifth in 3-point percentage (.471), and sixth in scoring (16.8). Nate Lubick leads Georgetown in field goal percentage and ranks third in the BIG EAST (.667).
THE SERIES - Georgetown vs. Louisville
Georgetown leads the all-time series, 8-4, with the Hoyas winning the last three contests. Last year, Louisville suffered its first loss of the season against then-No. 12-ranked Georgetown, 71-68, in a game that came down to the final possessions. With 2:02 remaining, Louisville tied the game, 63-63, on a Siva assist to Dieng. The Hoyas finished off the Cardinals by making six-straight free throws. Kyle Kuric, playing the full 40 minutes, finished with 17 points and four rebounds, while Siva added 15 points, six assists, and five steals.
GAME FACTS - Louisville at Georgetown
Date: Saturday, Jan. 26
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Site: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
TV: The game will be televised on ESPN, with Mike Patrick (play-by-play) and Len Elmore (color) calling the action.
Radio: The contest is available on WKRD 790 AM, as Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (color) announce the game.
SIRIUS: The game will be available on SIRIUS channel 91 and XM channel 91.
Series History: Georgetown leads the all-time series, 8-4 (4-2 in Louisville, 3-1 in Washington, 1-1 neutral).
Officials: John Cahill, Brian O'Connell, Jeff Clark
Next U of L Game: Monday, Jan. 28 vs. Pittsburgh, Louisville, Ky., KFC Yum! Center, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
