LOUISVILLE 2007-2008 SNAPSHOT

May 4, 2007


Head Coach: Rick Pitino
2006-2007 Record: 24-10 (12-4 Big East), NCAA 2nd Round


Returning Players:
Juan Palacios, Senior (Forward)
David Padgett, Senior (Center)
Terrance Farley, Senior (Center)
Terrence Williams, Junior (Small Forward)
Andre McGee, Junior (Guard)
Earl Clark, Sophomore (Forward)
Edgar Sosa, Sophomore (Guard)
Jerry Smith, Sophomore (Guard)
Derrick Caracter, Sophomore (Center)
Will Scott (non-scholarship), Junios (Guard)

Incoming Players:
George Goode (Forward)
Clarence Holloway (Center)
Preston Knowles (Guard)

Incoming Transfer:
Reginald Delk, Junior (Guard). Eligible in 2008-2009.

Graduated Players:
Brandon Jenkins
Perrin Johnson

Transferred Out:
Jonathan Huffman


Open Items/Issues:
Rick Pitino had an open spot on his staff after Kevin Willard left the Cards for the head coaching job at Iona. Pitino did not look too far for a replacement as he hired his son Richard away from Duquesne. Also, earlier this week, coach Pitino signed an extension with Louisville through the 2012-2013 season.

The Cardinals added a recruit (Preston Knowles), a transfer (Reginald Delk) and saw one player leave (Jonathan Huffman) this spring, but otherwise it has been a quiet offseason to date as nobody is testing the NBA waters and nobody has been suspended!

Summary:
Expectations will be high next year for the Cardinals. After struggling out of the gate this past season, the young squad rallied to finish 12-4 in the Big East and nearly knocked off Texas A&M in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament. With the Cardinals struggling at 16-8 and 6-4 in the Big East, without a quaility win, Derrick Caracter was reinstated to the team after a series of suspensions. The Cards ripped off six straight wins to close out the regular season and move from the out-side looking in of the NCAA Tournament bubble to a team to watch.

The Cardinals battled their share of injuries again last season as an assortment of ailments kept Brandon Jenkins, David Padgett, Juan Palacios, Andre McGee, Earl Clark and others away from the team at times. When they were healthy late in the season (except for Palacios) they were among the best in the conference. They return 95% of their scoring next season and look for their four freshmen (Caracter, Clark, Edgar Sosa and Jerry Smith) to continue to improve and a healthy Juan Palacios makes this a team that will be more dangerous next year than they were late this season.

Louisville is probably the clear-cut favorite in the Big East for next season and a legitimate Final Four contender (assuming both Jeff Green and Roy Hibbert do not return to Georgetown). They have experience in the frontcourt with Palacios, Padgett and Terrence Farley and their backcourt is only going to get bettwe as Andre McGee, Sosa and Smith mature. We have not even begun to talk about their catalyst, the uber-athletic Terrence Williams, who excels in the open court system that Pitino loves. As he played more under control last season, the Cardinals rose towards the top, look for them to start there next season and continue to get even better!