LOUISVILLE 2008-2009 SNAPSHOT

June 10, 2008


Head Coach: Rick Pitino
2007-2008 Record: 27-9 (14-4 Big East), NCAA Elite 8


Returning Players:
Terrence Williams, Senior (Small Forward)
Andre McGee, Senior (Guard)
Earl Clark, Junior (Forward)
Edgar Sosa, Junior (Guard)
Jerry Smith, Junior (Guard)
Will Scott (non-scholarship), Senior (Guard)
George Goode, rsFreshman (Forward)
Preston Knowles, Sophomore (Guard)

Incoming Players:
Samardo Samuels, Power Forward/Center
Terrence Jennings, Center/Power Forward
Jared Swopshire, Small Forward
Kyle Kuric, Shooting Guard


Eligible Transfer:
Reginald Delk, Junior (Guard)

Graduated Players:
Juan Palacios, Senior (Forward)
David Padgett, Senior (Center)
Terrance Farley, Senior (Center)

Transferred Out (or no longer playing):
Clarence Holloway, Freshman (Center)
Derrick Caracter, Sophomore (Center)


Open Items/Issues:
Spring time in Louisville can be quite busy, while the Cards were quiet on the 2008 recruiting front, they have been busy on the recruiting trail for 2009, locking up three verbal commitments. As for their roster, recruit Melquan Bolding parted ways with Louisville and signed with Duquesne, Clarence Holloway had to leave the basketball team due to health reasons and Derrick Caracter was declared academically ineligible to compete this coming season. The roster shake-up has settled has shaped the line-up for next season at 12 scholarship players.

Summary:
Louisville probably received the biggest internal boost this spring when Terrence Williams and Earl Clark quickly made decisions not to pursue their NBA Draft possibilities and return to the Cardinal line-up for the 2008-2009 season. Clark led the team in rebounding (8.1) with Williams 2nd on the club (7.2) and T-Will was the Cards' top assist man at 4.5/game and they both averaged 11.1 point a game, right behind David Padgett for the team lead. Clark also led the team in blocks with 59 last season. Clark's return did come as a surprise as a strong pre-season showed the flashes of his tremendous potential and had many believing he would be a mid-first round draft pick. It had also been speculated that he had no intention of staying in college for more than two seasons, but he decided to take Rick Pitino's advice and could be in line for an All-American season as a junior.

Louisville will definitely be a top-10 contender nationally next season and their success will likely hinge on Edgar Sosa becoming the consistent point guard that Rick Pitino is trying to develop out of him. Sosa can get into a rut of tunnel vision looking for his own offense at times, but Pitino is working hard to get him to think more team oriented and to concentrate on his defense more often. Jerry Smith is one of the league's top three-point threats and Andre McGee offers experience in the back court. The addition of transfer Reginald Delk will provide a perimeter shooting boost that is very crucial in Pitino's offensive system, something that has not been a consistent weapon the last couple seasons.

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The front court took a hit this off season with the graduation of David Padgett, Juan Palacios and Terrence Farley and the merciful end to the Derrick Caracter saga as the underachieving big forward failed to remain academically eligible. Padgett was often praised by coach Pitino for his all around play and making the team better with his high basketball IQ and understanding of what the Cardinals were trying to accomplish on each possession. He will be very difficult to replace, but the candidates are impressive with all-American recruit Samardo Samuels and Terrence Jennings leading the way.

As usual, Rick Pitino has an impressive list of athletes at his disposal to run his system. Terrence Williams and Earl Clark will be among the top players in the conference (as well as the country) at the forward positions and Samardo Samuels should be one of the most college-ready incoming big men in the nation. Three-point shooting weapons like Jerry Smith and Reginald Delk round out an offensive line-up that should put up a lot of points. If Edgar Sosa takes the big step in his junior year and they find some depth in the front court, this will be a definite top four Big East team and a club that will once again be knocking on the door of the Final Four.