Men's Basketball Opens Season Against College of Charleston
November 08, 2013 | Men's Basketball
Nov. 8, 2013
PRESS CONFERENCE LINKS
Rick Pitino: Audio | Video
Luke Hancock: Audio | Video
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Basketball season in the city of Louisville officially is back. The defending national champion and third-ranked Cardinals open the 2013-14 campaign on Saturday against College of Charleston in the KFC Yum! Center at 1 p.m.
The contest will be broadcast on WHAS-TV, with Drew Deener (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (analyst) calling the action. Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Doug Ormay (analyst) will announce the game on WKRD 790 AM. Fans can hear the game online here.
| Watch on ESPN3 | Championship Banner Information | UofL Media Center |
The Nov. 9 contest boasts two significant events: it marks the start of the 100th season of Louisville basketball; prior to tip, Louisville is going to unveil its 2012-13 national championship banner, the third of its kind, in the rafters. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 12:45 p.m. to view the presentation.
The Cardinals, who are beginning their season on the earliest date in school history, won both exhibition contests leading into the regular season, posting victories over Kentucky Wesleyan and, most recently, Pikeville. While shooting nearly 55 percent from the field, the Cardinals' defense forced opponents into a combined 40 turnovers while holding them to a 34 percent clip. Led by Montrezl Harrell and Akoy Agau, Louisville averaged 5.5 blocks per game.
Through two contests, Harrell averaged a team-best 19 points per game on 88.9 percent shooting, recorded a team-high four steals, and collected 13 rebounds.
Louisville's backcourt trio of Chris Jones, Russ Smith, and Terry Rozier combined for an average of 45 points while totaling 28 rebounds, 21 assists, and six steals. Smith, a preseason Associated Press All-American, made 18 trips to the free throw line.
College of Charleston is in its second year under the direction of Doug Wojcik, who led the program to a 24-11 record last season and a postseason berth to the CBI Tournament. The program returns 10 letterwinners, four of whom were starters, from last season's squad.
Entering its first season in the Colonial Athletic Association, College of Charleston was picked to finish third in its conference. Returnees Adjehi Baru and Anthony Stitt earned preseason all-conference honors, as Baru was named to the second team and Stitt collected honorable mention accolades.
The Cougars played their lone exhibition last Saturday, recording a 102-87 win over Newberry. Canyon Barry scored a team-high 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while three other players totaled double-figure point totals. Baru posted game highs of 15 rebounds and four blocks.
The Cardinals own a 67-31 record in all-time season openers, including a 46-12 mark at home. Louisville has won 18 of its last 20 openers, including the last nine straight.
THE SERIES - College of Charleston vs. Louisville
The Cardinals own a 3-0 advantage in the all-time series against College of Charleston. Last year, Louisville's defense forced 27 turnovers en route to an 80-38 victory on Dec. 4, 2012, in Charleston, S.C. Wayne Blackshear scored a game-high 18.
The last time College of Charleston visited the KFC Yum! Center, Louisville registered a 69-62 victory over the Cougars. Kyle Kuric scored 17 and Gorgui Dieng produced a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds on Dec. 20, 2011.
GAME FACTS - College of Charleston at Louisville
Date: Saturday, Nov. 9
Time: 1:07 p.m. ET
Site: KFC Yum! Center/Crum Court (22,000), Louisville, Ky.
TV: WHAS-TV will televise the game the game, with Drew Deener (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (analyst) calling the action.
Radio: WKRD 790 AM will broadcast the game, with Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Doug Ormay (analyst) calling the action.
Series History: Louisville leads the all-time series 3-0. Louisville defeated College of Charleston 80-38 last season on Dec. 4, 2012, in Charleston, S.C.
Officials: Joe DeRosa, Bert Smith, Don Daily
Next UofL Game: Tuesday, Nov. 11 vs. Hofstra in KFC Yum! Center, 7:07 p.m. ET (WHAS-TV/ESPN3)
