By Andrew Krumme
As the University of Louisville men’s basketball program enters into the Big East Conference this season, Head Coach Rick Pitino is counting on the skill and talent of his frontcourt.
But the Cards’ frontcourt now is a cause for concern rather than a source of strength thanks to sophomores Juan Palacios’ and David Padgett’s foot injuries. As Louisville prepares for its first exhibition game in a little less than two months’ time, Pitino is left at a loss.
“This is the most disappointing preseason I’ve experienced in a long time,” he said.
Palacios went down during a pick-up game in mid-July. The state of his injury still remains a mystery to many, but Pitino assures Cardinal fans that he is expected back in November.
Still, there have been grumblings among popular radio shows and message boards that Palacios may be out until Big East play begins Jan. 5 against Villanova. No one is certain, however, since there hasn’t been any press release or statement.
To make matters worse for the Cards, Padgett, a former McDonald’s All American, broke the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot during a pick-up game Sept. 19. The 6-foot-11 center also suffered a sprained ankle.
Padgett is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks. This time off will hinder the transfer’s ability to condition with the team for the upcoming season.
“First the injury to [Palacios], and now this,” said Pitino. “We’ll look for the silver lining and when I can find it, I’ll let everyone know.”
With the injuries to both Palacios and Padgett, the Cards are left with virtually no experience on the front line. Freshmen Brian Johnson, Jonathan Huffman and Chad Millard, along with junior Perrin Johnson, will have to dominate the paint to keep Louisville in the game.
Johnson is a load at 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, but is coming off knee surgery that sidelined him all of last season. He will have to have a huge presence early in the year if the Cards plan to roll through their non-conference schedule. Both Millard and Huffman will have to prove themselves in the paint, a difficult task for the incoming freshmen. Huffman is listed as 7 feet tall but only weighs 215 pounds while Millard is 6-foot-8 and 225 pounds.
Palacios and Padgett must remain hard at work to get back in the Cardinal rotation, and until then, Louisville fans will continue to hold their breath as the 2005-2006 Big East season approaches. The Cards open with an exhibition game against Bellarmine Nov. 2.
