Kentucky vs Louisville...A Preview of the Rivalry

Lwcat
WT Administrator

Kentucky vs Louisville…A Preview of the Rivalry

Kentucky vs Louisville 1/2/10 at 3:30pmEST/2:30pmCST on CBS

Louisville

Enrollment-22,000
Arena-18,865

Head Coach-Rick Pitino
Career Record-552-197 (73.7%) 23 seasons
At Louisville-200-73 (73.3%) 8 seasons

2008-09 Record-31-6
2008-09 Big East Record-16-2
2008-09 Postseason 3-1 (Lost in Elite 8)

2009-10 Record-10-3

Louisville 96 Arkansas 66
Louisville 69 East Tennessee St. 56
Louisville 90 Morgan St. 81
Louisville 80 Appalachian St. 53
UNLV 76 Louisville 71
Louisville 80 Stetson 48
Charlotte 87 Louisville 65
Western Carolina 91 Louisville 83
Louisville 94 Oral Roberts 57
Louisville 102 Western Ky. 75
Louisville 84 Louisiana-Lafayette 69
Louisville 79 Radford 53
Louisville 73 South Florida 52

Louisville Stats / Kentucky Stats

PPG-82.0 / 83.6
FG%-45.9% / 50.5%
3 Point FG%-32.1% / 42.2%
FT%-68.5% / 69.5%
Rebounds-40.8 / 42.6
Assists-17.2 / 17.2
TO’s-13.8 / 15.3
Steals-8.6 / 7.1
Blocks-3.8 / 7.6

Probable Starting Lineups

Reginald Delk F-6’4” Sr. (PPG-6.7)
Jared Swopshire F-6’8” So. (PPG-8.0)
Samardo Samuels C-6’9” So. (PPG-16.4)
Edgar Sosa G-6’2” Sr. (PPG-13.3)
Jerry Smith G-6’2” Sr. (PPG-8.7)

Other Key Players

Preston Knowles G-6’1” Jr. (PPG-8.5)
Kyle Kuric G-6’4” So. (PPG-4.5)
Terrence Jennings F-6’9” So. (PPG-6.4)
Peyton Siva G-5’11” Fr. (PPG-4.6)

The Louisville Cardinals arrive in Rupp Arena fresh off of defeating South Florida and with a decent 10-3 record, but without a single signature win thus far. The Cards have won 5 straight after suffering a humiliating defeat to Western Carolina. Louisville lost 3 outstanding players from last season’s 31-6 Elite 8 team….namely, Earl Clark, Andree McGee and Terrance Williams. Although, the Cards overall talent is down from last season, it would be a mistake to underestimate the talent of this season’s team.

The Cardinals are led in scoring by 6’9” soph Samardo Samuels at 16.4PPG, but he also is the team’s leading rebounder with 7.6 per game. Interestingly, Samuels has shot a third of all Louisville’s free throws hitting 71-104 for 68.3%. Senior guard Edgar Sosa is the Cards 2nd leading scorer at 13.3 PPG….and also leads in assists with 56 thus far. Sosa also leads the team in 3 point shots made and percentage….hitting a solid 41.4%. Jared Swopshire is the team’s 2nd leading rebounder at 5.7 per game. Reginald Delk, a cousin of UK great….Tony Delk….is hitting 47.2% of his 3 point shots.

Coach Pitino uses his bench a lot with 9 players averaging 13 plus minutes per game. The Cards are not a big team, but count on 6’8” Swopshire and 6’9” 260 lb. Samuels to be effective in the paint….and often bring 6’9” Terrence Jennings off the bench to help on the frontline. Louisville starts 3 seniors and 2 sophs, so they bring a good bit of experience to each game. Importantly for the Cards, their 2 starting guards, Sosa and Smith, are both seniors and bring a lot of experience and savvy to the backcourt.

Louisville averages 24- 3 point shots per game and although the overall team 3 point percentage is only 32.1%.....they are still dangerous….especially with both Sosa and Delk hitting over 40%. Coach Pitino often likes to press other teams and the Cards have 6 players with 10 plus steals thus far this season.

Although, Louisville will be an underdog in Rupp Arena against the undefeated Cats, you can bet that Pitino will throw everything but the kitchen sink at these young Cats. Look for different zones….man to man….and various presses….all designed to throw UK off it’s comfort zone on the floor. If the Cards are shooting the 3 ball well….this could be a very tough game for the Cats. Whatever anyone thinks of Pitino the person, no one can question that he is one of the very best floor coaches in college basketball.

Kentucky is riding a 14 game winning streak and comes into the rivalry game undefeated and 3rd ranked in the nation. The Cats have shown definite improvement both offensively and defensively. Unquestionably, this UK team ranks among the most talented in Wildcat history. The starting guards of Wall and Bledsoe, although freshmen, bring incredible quickness, athletic ability and talent to the backcourt and are shooting a combined 46’9% from long range. Wall has established himself as a rare talent and an amazingly unselfish player who is the consummate team player. Freshman Cousins is showing dramatic improvement in the pivot and is learning the importance of controlling his emotions on the court. This Wildcat team will need Cousins to stay out of foul trouble and play at least 25-30 minutes in most games. Patrick Patterson has been a rock of stability for this young team….Patterson has been incredibly consistent in playing well in each and every game while revealing his ability to shoot the rock well from the outside. In addition, Patrick has brought excellent leadership to this young UK team. Darius Miller is beginning to gain more and more confidence in his offensive game. Importantly, The Cats are getting solid contributions off the bench….especially in Dodson, Orton, Harris and Liggins. Dodson is bringing instant offense in most games and is improving his defense. Harris and Liggins are playing solid defense while Orton plays an important role in playing the pivot when Cousins goes to the bench. There is still much more improvement needed for these young talented Cats, but already fans have seen significant gains in the offense and defense.

The Louisville game will be a big test for the Cats. They will face a number of varying defenses and likely a number of presses. You can bet that Pitino will have this underdog Card team playing at a frantic pace. UK must play solid defense, especially in preventing open 3 point shots. Also, the Cats must keep their 3 best players, Wall, Cousins and Patterson out of foul trouble. A repeat of the Long Beach St. game when all three spent significant time on the bench because of fouls could cause a UK loss.

This will be a tremendous game….Calipari vs Pitino. Two of the top 5 coaches in America. The Cats will be a definite favorite, but to win….UK must play solid defense, handle the Louisville press, score in the paint and shoot a solid percentage from the field.

As we have learned in the past, the best and most talented team has not always won in this great rivalry. Importantly, this young UK team has already been tested under fire….beating a talented North Carolina team in Rupp Arena…..beating a very good U Conn team in Madison Square Garden and defeating an Indiana team supported by a frenzy IU crowd in Assembly Hall. This will be another important test and I look for these talented Cats to pass another test in defeating Louisville. It won’t be a blowout….in fact, it likely will be a close game. Cats by 5-7 points. GO CATS!