BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: LOUISVILLE @ CINCINNATI

February 21, 2009


Another game with big NCAA Tournament implications is taking place in Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon when the Bearcats will welcome in Rick Pitino and Louisville. Mick Cronin will face his former mentor in a game UC will look to steal to but their NCAA Tournament chances in much better light.

After starting conference play 0-3, UC has won seven of their last 10 to move to 7-6 in the Big East and 17-9 overall. The Bearcats own a pair of wins over Georgetown and a win over Notre Dame, but two losses to Providence put them in a precarious situation. They have an advantage over PC with out of conference wins against a decent UAB and Mississippi State, but a road win over UNLV might be their strongest argument to date for inclusion in the tournament. That being said, there next three games with UL, West Virginia and Syracuse will likely decide their fate. They must win won and not slip up in their last two (at USF, vs SHU) in order to head to the Big East Tournament with a chance at a bid to the Dance.

While Louisville is safely in the NCAA Tournament at this point in the season, Rick Pitino knows this game is very important to both teams.

“Obviously we’re fighting for a Big East championship and they’re fighting for a shot in the NCAA Tournament,” Pitino said in this week’s coaches conference call.

Also, fresh in the minds of many Louisville players is the 58-57 loss the Cards suffered in the first game of the conference schedule last season, a loss they have certainly been reminded of this season.

It is a tough match-up for UC as the Cards will apply pressure all game long and could wear out UC star Deonta Vaughn. If Vaughn is unable to carry the load offensively, as well as the added ball-handling duties as the team’s point guard, it will be a long day for the Bearcats, even on their home floor.

The Louisville frontline also has a solid advantage with Terrence Williams, Earl Clark and Samardo Samuels, all strong NBA prospects. Look for that talent to overwhelm UC with the press and quick-strike scoring abaility.

NBE Blogger Prediction:

Louisville 69
Cincinnati 62


Cards Prepping for Improved Cincinnati (SI.com)
Cards are Less Fashionable After Loss to Notre Dame (Courier-Journal)
Cronin: Losing is a Great Motivator (Courier-Journal)
A Nastier Gates Would be Pretty Nice for UC (Cincinnati Enquirer)
Playing in Reverse, Cards Move Forward (Courier-Journal)
Cards Wearing the No Frills Look Well (Courier-Journal)
Cincinnati’s Rebound Bears Cronin’s Stamp (Courier-Journal)