By Andrew Hornback
The University of Louisville men’s basketball team opened Big East conference play with a 73-52 win over the University of South Florida Bullfrogs on Wednesday, Dec. 30 at Freedom Hall.
“Well, we did some good things tonight and we did some poor things tonight,” said head coach Rick Pitino. “But we got a victory and that was the name of it.”
Senior guard Edgar Sosa led the Cardinals with 16 points and 5 assists, while sophomore forwards Samardo Samuels and Jared Swopshire each contributed 12 points.
Leading by only 32-31 at halftime, the Cards used a 15-0 run in the second half to increase the lead to 52-34.
According to Pitino, senior guard Jerry Smith was the game changer.
“Jerry kept the ball alive and got the rebound and kept playing defense and gave us the big lift we needed to get us over the hump,” said Pitino.
“He played a very good game, especially in the second half—he was the difference-maker.”
Next up for the Cards will be the undefeated No. 3 University of Kentucky Wildcats in Lexington on Saturday, Jan. 2. The Cardinals have won their last two games against the Wildcats, in 2008 and 2009.
“They are not the tallest team, but they are the fastest team and one of the most athletic teams I have ever seen at Kentucky,” said Pitino. “So we know what we are up against, and it won’t be surprising to us. We will work on a game plan to try to limit some of that athleticism. Not easy to do; no one has been able to do it—that is why they are undefeated.”
