LOUISVILLE REBUNDS, ROUTS ORAL ROBERTS

The perfect remedy for what has been ailing Louisville of late was found in Oral Roberts visiting Freedom Hall Wednesday night. The cure was aided by a stern pregame speeck from coach Rick Pitino. Pitino's Challenge, Louisville gets 'Real' in Rout of Oral Roberts (Louisville Courier-Journal), 94-57.

After being called 'fakes' and 'imposters' by their coach, Louisville Pounds ORU (Tulsa World) behind 18 points from Edgar Sosa and 17 from Samardo Samuels. The Cards shot 52% from the field and connected on 12 of 32 attempts from beyond the arc in the rout.

With Western Kentucky coming to Freedom Hall on Saturday and a date with arch nemesis Kentucky (1/2) looming, UL fans will hope last night's effort proves the Cards are Back on Track State-Journal) with the meat of their schedule ahead.

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UNC-C HANDS PITINO COACHED LOUISVILLE WORST HOME LOSS

The score certainly caught many people by surprise as Louisville suffered an 87-65 home loss to UNC-Charlotte. It was a tough night for the Cards as Charlotte Catches Cards With their Guards Down (Louisville Courier-Journal) in front of more than 19,000 fans in Freedom Hall.

Jerry Smith joined the UL wounded Thursday with a strained Achilles' tendon. Preston Knowles (thumb) and Peyton Siva (wrist) already were hurting and out of action once again, too. However, with their frontcourt intact and being outrebounded significantly by the 49ers on Saturday, Injuries Aren't All that Ails Louisville Basketball Team (Louisville Courier-Journal). Samardo Samuels played just 19 minutes, scoring 14 points and grabbing just four rebounds, watching Charlotte frosh Chris Braswell have his way inside scoring 21 points and grabbing 14 rebounds as UNC-C dominated the glass with a 49-35 rebounding advantage.

UL has now lost two of three and will host Western Carolina this coming Saturday. The Cards expect Knowles to return to the line-up, it is unclear when Smith or Siva will be ready to play.

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HOT-SHOOTING LOUISVLLE BLISTERS STETSON, 80-48

Shorthanded Louisville rebounded from their first loss of the season to rout Stetston, 80-48, on Wednesday night. Playing without guards Preston Knowles and Peyton Sive, both out with injures, Jerry Smith Leads Cards in Win (Louisville Courier-Journal) by scoring 17 points. Edgar Sosa and Samardo Samuels each scored 15.

UL shot a blistering 62% from the field for the game and outscored the Hatters by 16 in each half, rotating several different line-ups with Knowles and Siva sidelined with injuries. Rakeem Buckles was inserted into the starting line-up over Jared Swopshire and Reginald Delk took Knowles normal spot in the line-up. Kyle Kuric and Mike Marra also received additional playing time in the understaffed backcourt.

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