LOUISVILLE CARDINALS

2008-09 Record: 31-6, (16-2 BIG EAST)

Quick Facts

Location: Louisville, Ky.
Enrollment: 22,000
Founded: 1798
Knicknames: Cardinals
Colors: Red and Black
Home Court: Freedom Hall (18,865)

Coaching Staff

Head Coach:
Rick Pitino

Assistant Coaches
Ralph Willard
Steve Masiello
Walter McCarty

The Big Picture
Last season, when the BIG EAST enjoyed arguably its strongest season ever, it was Louisville that won the regular-season and league tournament crowns.  The Cardinals also earned their first Associated Press No. 1 ranking and advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight for the second straight season.  The starting forwards, Terrence Williams and Earl Clark, were 2009 NBA draft picks, but coach Rich Pitino still has eight returning lettermen and five newcomers to keep UofL among the nation's top teams.

Who's Back
Seniors Jerry Smith and Edgar Sosa likely will be the starting backcourt.  Smith averaged 7.8 points and was sixth in the BIG EAST in 3-point shooting, hitting at a 41.2 percent clip.  Sosa averaged 7.3 points and made significant strides defensively and with his ballhandling.  The guard corps is deeper with junior Preston Knowles (6.1), senior Reginald Delk and sophomore Kyle Kuric.  Knowles, a strong 3-point shooter and a staunch defender, has been used in a sixth-man role.  Closer to the basket, sophomore forward Samardo Samuels earned All-BIG EAST Rookie Team honors after averaging 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds.  Terrence Jennings averaged 4.2 points and 2.9 boards as a reserve rookie forward.  Jason Swopshire (1.4, 1.1) played in every game as a freshman.  Classmate George Goode (1.4, 1.3) was slowed by a stress fracture.

Who's Missing
The forward tandem of Williams and Clark will be missed.  Williams was an all-around contributor who averaged 12.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.3 steals.  He was an All-BIG EAST First Team selection.  Clark led the Cardinals in scoring (14.2) and rebounding (8.7).  Steady guard Andre McGee (5.3) will be missed for his defense and leadership.

Storylines
The Cardinals still have plenty of talent on hand to contend in 2009-10.  The veteran backcourt of Smith, Sosa and Knowles provides the Cardinals with an experienced base.  Samuels could be joined up front in the starting lineup by Jennings which would make a formidable sophomore duo.  Goode could emerge as a top reserve in the low post.  Swopshire will contend for increased playing time at either forward position.  Delk and Kuric will push for more minutes on the wing.  The newcomers who could press the hardest to be in the regular rotation are guard Peyton Siva and forward Rakeem Buckles.