By Catherine Laroche

Before almost every University of Louisville men’s basketball home game, the team goes through the same game day itinerary each time. However, tomorrow the Cardinals will experience a slight mix-up as seniors Terrence Williams, Andre McGee and Will Scott will step onto Denny Crum court for the final time in their collegiate career to be honored for their contributions to the program prior to senior night against Seton Hall.
“Senior night is going to be very special because all three seniors bring a lot to the table in this program,” Rick Pitino, men’s basketball head coach, said. “They’ve meant a lot to this program in so many different ways.”

Terrence Williams

When it comes to the game of college basketball, almost everyone would agree Williams has made a huge impact in the Cardinals’ lineup over the last four years.  Prior to this season, he’s averaged 6.3 rebounds and 10.7 points per game. As for his senior season, he’s averaging 12.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.7 steals during conference play, while shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from three-point range. He leads the team in assists and steals, while No. 2 on the Cards roster in scoring and rebounding.
Although Williams has impressed many with his ability to put up such impressive numbers, it’s his personality which stands out even more than his stats at times. Whether he’s putting on a show with one of his skillful slam dunks, dancing before a game or commanding the crowd of more than 19,000 to stand up and shout, Williams is always making his presence known.
“T-Will has grown as a player, but also as a person,” Pitino said. “Will and Andre came in as wonderful people; T-Will has grown into a wonderful person. I don’t know what’s got better for him, his basketball game catching up to his athleticism or his personality catching up to what he’s all about. That’s what college is supposed to do, but it doesn’t always work that way. It’s supposed to be a wonderful experience and you’re supposed to learn the facts of life, and he has.”

Andre McGee

After battling injuries during his sophomore season, McGee has stepped up and made a huge impact on the team both offensively and defensively.  This season alone, he is averaging 4.8 points, 1.7 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game, while shooting almost 34 percent from three-point range.
“He’s having a great senior year,” Pitino said. “He’s the unsung hero of our basketball team. We talk about it every game, how he’s the one that applies all the pressure, he’s the one that takes the other team out of their offense, he’s the one that forces the opposition to use the shot clock. He’s the unsung hero by far.”
Going into his final home game as a Cardinal, McGee looked back on his time spent in Louisville.
“It’s been wonderful,” McGee said. “It’s been all I’ve wanted it to be. Everything has been what I expected; great city, great town, it’s been basketball heaven for me.”
Freshman running back Victor Anderson has been watching McGee and the Cardinals all season and has grown into a fan of McGee.
 “I’m going to miss Andre,” Anderson said. “He’s one of my favorite players, and if he keeps working hard he could play pro, if not here definitely in Europe.”

Will Scott

Scott has contributed to the Cardinals success in many ways since he joined the team in 2005. Whether it’s to shoot a game winning three, assist another teammate in great shooting range or hit free throws for a technical or to seal a win, many say he’s one that the team can rely on down the stretch of a game. However, Scott said  his most memorable moment in Freedom Hall was being a part of the last second shot by junior Edgar Sosa to beat Kentucky.
“Being on the court for that and being able to make an impact on that game was very special to me,” Scott said.
Off the court, Scott recently was recognized by the students for his accomplishment in being accepted to the prestigious Oxford University in England to study modern Chinese studies.
“Will is so selfless and comes with the best personality every single night,” Pitino said. “[He’s] always positive, always upbeat whether he plays one second or the whole game. He always has the same personality. He helps everybody academically. He’s like a tutor to everybody. So, he’s been such a joy to be around since the time he’s been here.”
Before joining the Cardinals, Scott transferred from Cornell University and has no regrets in his decision of coming to U of L.
“Looking back on my decision to transfer to U of L is something that I have thought a lot about recently,” Scott said. “I have realized it was probably the smartest thing I have ever done and I have learned so much being in another part of the country and being able to create my own path. As geeky as this sounds there is a poem by Robert Frost (“The Road Not Taken”) that hangs on my wall to this day as a reminder of my decision. I have truly come to find my own way and I have experienced things and met amazing people. I would never have had as rich of a college experience if I had stayed at Cornell.”
All three seniors have accomplished much success on and off the court throughout their careers at U of L, but one of the most important things they have gained over the years is the special bond they share as friends, not just teammates.
McGee and Williams are both from the west coast and have known each other since the ninth grade; which has helped them develop an even closer relationship. But like every close friendship, there are always disagreements.
“We play well together,” Williams said about McGee. “We’ve been best friends since we came here together and we’ll be best friends until the end. Besides the fact that we’re both from the west coast, we understand each other. He works hard, I work hard. We don’t agree on anything. He likes Kobe, I like Lebron. He likes juice, I like soda. He likes to sleep with the heat on, I sleep with cold air.”
Reminiscing on their friendship, McGee has developed a slightly different outlook.
“We’ve been playing together for so long, I’ve been hearing him fuss and groan for four years now,” McGee jokingly said about Williams. “Dealing with him, I’ve been his caretaker making sure he stays out of trouble all the time. It’s a hard job, but I haven’t lost too much hair. There’s been times when we’re riding in the car and I just want to strangle him. But he’s my best friend and I love him to death.”
With all differences aside, if all the seniors left agreeing on one thing, they said it would be that they’ve learned so much through their experience at U of L and from Pitino.
“One of the most important things I have learned is the idea of professionalism and hard work,” Scott said. “You must come every day to practice and work hard as well as carry yourself with dignity and class for success is not something that just happens on game day.  The ability to ‘bring it’ everyday and handle yourself in a professional manner is something that I will take with me for the rest of my life.”
The seniors and the rest of the team will host Seton Hall tomorrow at 7 p.m.