No. 17 Men's Basketball Heads North to Face Cincinnati
The Cardinals have won six of the last 10 meetings against the Bearcats.
 
Chris Smith has knocked down 26 3-pointers over the last 10 games.


Chris Smith has knocked down 26 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

Feb. 22, 2012

AUDIO REPLAY
Rick Pitino | Russ Smith | Chane Behanan
PODCAST
Click Here
GAME NOTES
Louisville Game Notes Get Acrobat Reader

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville men's basketball team heads north on Thursday, Feb. 23, to Ohio to face Cincinnati at Fifth Third Arena. Tip is set for 9:05 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN with Mike Patrick (play-by-play) and Len Elmore (color) calling the action.

Last time out, No. 17 Louisville (21-6, 9-5 BIG EAST) posted a 90-82 overtime victory at DePaul on Feb. 18. Kyle Kuric had a team-high 25 points, knocking down five 3-pointers in the game. Chris Smith added 20, and Russ Smith chipped in with 16 and had a game-high six steals. Collectively, the Cardinals shot 45.5 percent (30-of-66), knocking down 12 3-pointers and out-rebounded the Blue Demons, 40-36. Brandon Young led the Blue Demons with 27 points, shooting 10-of-13 from the field, while two other players - Cleveland Melvin and Donnavan Kirk - scored in double digits. Louisville's defense held DePaul to just five points in the overtime period, shooting only 2-of-8 from the floor.

Cincinnati (19-8, 9-5) is coming off a 62-57 victory against Seton Hall on Feb. 18. Dion Dixon scored a game-high 20 points, and Cashmere Wright added 13 points in the win. Neither team shot well from the floor, as the Bearcats connected on just 40 percent (20-of-50) of their shots and the Pirates hit just 34.8 percent (23-of-66). Seton Hall did win the rebounding battle, 39-37, grabbing 18 on the offensive end. Fuquan Edwin and Jordan Theodore each scored 15 points in the loss.

The Bearcats are under the direction of Mick Cronin, who's in his sixth season with the program. He's led the program to a 106-85 record. In the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, Cincinnati was picked fifth. Yancy Gates was the lone preseason honoree, as he was named a second team all-BIG EAST pick. Kilpatrick currently leads the team with 15 points per game, and Wright has a team-best 123 assists.

THE SERIES - Louisville vs. Cincinnati
The Cardinals hold a 53-41 all-time advantage over the Bearcats, winning six of the last 10 meetings. The two programs, which are separated by 104 miles, first met in 1921. Last year, Cincinnati posted a 63-54 victory at home, with Cashmere Wright registering 20 points. Sean Kilpatrick was the only other Bearcat to score more than 10 points in the game, as he finished with 18 off the bench. Terrence Jennings was Louisville's only double-digit scorer, tallying 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Statistically, the two teams were similar: Cincinnati shot 44.7 percent from the floor, while Louisville was 46.9 percent from the field; Cincinnati grabbed 29 rebounds, and Louisville collected 28; the Bearcats connected on five 3-pointers, and the Cardinals hit four.

GAME FACTS - Louisville at Cincinnati
Date: Thursday, Feb. 23
Time: 9:05 p.m. ET
Site: Fifth Third Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio (13, 176)
TV: ESPN will televise the game, with Mike Patrick (play-by-play) and Len Elmore (color) calling the action.
Radio: WHAS (840 AM) will broadcast the game on radio, with Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (color) calling the action.
SIRIUS: Game will be available on SIRIUS and XM channels 91.
Series History: Louisville leads the all-time series, 53-41 (30-15 in Louisville, 21-23 in Cincinnati, 2-3 neutral).
Officials: John Cahill, Jamie Luckie, Bryan Kersey
Next U of L Game: Sunday, Feb. 26 vs. Pittsburgh, KFC Yum! Center, Louisville, Ky., 2 p.m. ET (CBS)

 

 

    Big East NCAA University of Louisville
    photos