Louisville Team Report

GETTING INSIDE

If the offseason is any indication, Louisville fans had better be prepared for a wild ride in 2009-10.

The big story involved its coach, Rick Pitino, who found himself in the news as the alleged victim of a $10 million extortion plot that involved lurid tales of extra-marital sex and the resulting consequences. Later, as the start of practice loomed, Jerry Smith and Terrence Jennings were arrested on misdemeanor charges for an incident that happened at a homecoming party.

Oh, and the Cardinals also have to replace a pair of first-round picks in Terrence Williams and Earl Clark. But Pitino has always been known as a good recruiter, so it’s no surprise that there is talent in place to make another run at the Final Four.

The backcourt starts with veterans Smith and Edgar Sosa, both of whom should start. Though the loss of Andre McGee deprives the Cards of a top ball-handler and defender, McDonald’s All-American Peyton Siva arrives to fill the void. There’s also a host of shooters, like Mike Marra or 2008-09 sixth man Preston Knowles.

Knowles may get more responsibility this season if the Cards choose a smaller lineup; if not; this will be Reginald Delk’s time to sine. The nephew of Tony Delk, a stalwart for Pitino at Kentucky in the 1990s, the Mississippi State transfer has his best chance yet to make an impact. In turn, he’ll be pushed by sophomore Jared Swopshire, and possibly freshman Stephan Van Treese.

The frontcourt has fewer questions, with Samardo Samuels and Jennings ready to start. Pitino will be looking for more consistency from this duo in 2009-10, particularly on the offensive end. Each also will have to show they are ready to bang with the top big men in the Big East.

This team won’t have the great expectations of last year’s squad, but Pitino is always a great pick as an underdog because his teams always come to play. If the players aren’t distracted by the off-court shenanigans, this is a team that can’t be counted out.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Jerry Smith and Terrence Jennings were arrested in October on misdemeanor charges stemming from an altercation at an alumni homecoming party. It was immediately clear whether that would have any short-term or long-term repercussions on their Cardinal careers.

• Coach Rick Pitino added more experience to his sideline by hiring longtime friend and colleague Ralph Willard to serve as his assistant. Willard left a pretty good job as the head coach at Holy Cross to come back in that role.

• F Samardo Samuels finished last season seventh among freshman scorers in school history. He scored 436 points, averaging 11.8 per game.

Last Year:   31-6 overall, 16-2 in the Big East; lost in regional finals of the NCAA Tournament.

Head Coach:   Rick Pitino (career 552-197); ninth year at Louisville (200-73).

Quote To Note:   “If our guys bring humility to the forefront, we have a great chance of repeating as Big East champs this year. If our guys put humility in the forefront, we have a goal this year of going to a Final Four. We have a chance of doing that. It’s not what we lost that we’re going to dwell on.”—Coach Rick Pitino, in the Louisville Courier-Journal.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Scouting The Newcomers:   McDonald’s All-American Peyton Siva will begin the season as Edgar Sosa’s backup at the point. He’s listed at 6-feet (perhaps generous), but he’s lightning quick and ready to contribute right away. Guard Mike Marra is a shooter who fits the Rick Pitino mold of a guy who can come off the bench cold and knock down 3-pointers. Forward Stephan Van Treese will push for time in the paint, and is a strong shooter as well as an inside threat. Fellow forward Rakeem Buckles is a redshirt candidate.

Key Early-season Games:   Rick Pitino always wants to challenge his team in the nonconference schedule, and he’ll definitely get that chance this season. The Cardinals play Arkansas in the Hall of Fame Showcase, play at UNLV (which won in Freedom Hall last season), and prepare for the Big East slate with a Jan. 2 trip to play Kentucky, a game in which Pitino can expect to hear several earfuls from the Wildcat faithful.

Program Direction:   On the court, the Cardinals are consistently atop the rankings, so it’s tough to say the program is going anywhere but up. But this will be a challenging year for coach Rick Pitino and the Cardinals, as off-court distractions add a new burden to the rigors of the Big East slate.

Probable Starting Lineup:   PG Edgar Sosa, SG Jerry Smith, SF Reginald Delk, PF Terrence Jennings, F/C Samardo Samuels.

Roster Report:  

• If sophomore Jared Swopshire doesn’t beat out Reginald Delk for the starting small forward position, it won’t be for lack of trying. He spent a lot of time in the weight room this summer in an effort to earn more playing time and get more than the one start he made as a freshman.

• F Terrence Jennings was at his best against the toughest opponents. Despite coming off the bench, his 2.2 blocks per game in Big East play was good enough to rank third in the conference.

• G Jerry Smith took the responsibilities of his senior season seriously in the offseason. He re-dedicated himself to the gym, and lost about 15 pounds between April and September.