No. 4 Men's Basketball Set for BIG EAST Opener Versus Georgetown
The Cardinals and Hoyas have split the last four contests in the series.
 
Chris Smith also met with the media on Tuesday.


Chris Smith also met with the media on Tuesday.

Dec. 27, 2011

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GAME NOTES
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - In its first BIG EAST Conference game of the season, the University of Louisville men's basketball team will play host to Georgetown on Wednesday, Dec. 28, at the KFC Yum! Center. The game, which will be broadcast on ESPN2, is set for 7 p.m., with Jon Sciambi (play-by-play) and Dick Vitale (color) calling the action.

Ranked No. 4 in both major polls, the Cardinals continue to add to their impressive winning streak. Holding a 12-0 overall record, the Cardinals - one of just six unbeaten Division I programs - are off to their best start in 37 years since the Louisville's 1974-75 team began 13-0.

Last time out, Louisville secured a 70-60 win over Western Kentucky on Dec. 23, giving the Cardinals their 20th-straight home victory. It is the program's longest home win streak since also winning 20 straight from Jan. 29, 1966, through Dec. 1, 1967, at Freedom Hall. Russ Smith notched 23 points off the bench on 7-of-15 shooting, while Kyle Kuric tallied 15 points, and Gorgui Dieng added 13 points and 15 rebounds. The Cardinals capitalized on their 19 offensive rebounds, scoring 22 second-chance points. WKU was led by Derrick Gordon and Jamal Crook, who each registered 13 points.

Twelfth-ranked Georgetown is also riding an impressive stretch, having won its last eight games for a 10-1 overall mark. The Hoyas are coming off a strong 70-59 victory over Memphis on Dec. 22. Jason Clark led four players in double figures with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Hollis Thompson notched 17 points; both he and Henry Sims grabbed nine rebounds apiece. The Hoyas won the rebounding battle, 38-29, collecting 16 offensive boards.

The Hoyas are under the direction of John Thompson, III, who's in his eighth year at the helm of the program. He's guided Georgetown to a 170-74 overall mark and five NCAA Tournament appearances. In the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, Georgetown was picked to finish 10th. Clark, the team's leading scorer at 15.7 points per game, also has a team-best 21 steals. Thompson, who checks in at 14.9 points per game, leads the team in rebounds per game (6.1) and is shooting a remarkable 47.8 percent (22-of-46) from beyond the arc.

THE SERIES - Georgetown vs. Louisville
Georgetown leads the all-time series, 7-4, with the Cardinals and Hoyas splitting the last four contests. Last year, Georgetown squeaked out a 62-59 win in Washington, D.C. Chris Wright led the Hoyas with 24 points, including a pair of free throws with 4.4 seconds remaining to secure the win. Terrence Jennings was Louisville's leading scorer, tallying 18 points and also grabbing seven rebounds. The last time the teams squared off in Louisville was in 2010, with Georgetown recording a 70-60 win behind Austin Freeman's 29 points.

GAME FACTS - Georgetown at Louisville
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 28
Time: 7 p.m.
Site: KFC Yum! Center/Crum Court, Louisville, Ky. (22,000)
TV: ESPN2 will televise the game nationally, with Jon Sciambi (play-by-play) and Dick Vitale (color) calling the action.
Radio: WKRD (790 AM; 101.7 FM) will broadcast the game on radio, with Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Doug Ormay (color) calling the action.
SIRIUS: Game will be available on SIRIUS Channel 93.
Series History: Georgetown leads the all-time series, 7-4 (3-2 in Louisville, 3-1 in Washington, D.C., 1-1 neutral).
Officials: Jim Burr, Karl Hess, Mike Roberts
Next U of L Game: Saturday, Dec. 31 at Kentucky, Rupp Arena, Lexington, Ky., 4 p.m. ET (CBS)

 

 

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