Date: Monday, February 23rd
Time: 7:02 p.m. EST
Site: Verizon Center (20,600) in Washington, D.C.
Series History: UofL trails 3-5 (2-2 in Louisville, 0-2 in Washington, 1-1 neutral)
Last Meeting: Georgetown 55, UofL 52 (March 8, 2008 in Washington, D.C.)
National Rankings: UL No. 6 AP, ESPN/USA Today (Feb. 23)
Officials: Ed Corbett, Karl Hess, Bob Donato

Louisville plays its second strait on the road in the last three days as the Cardinals travel to our Nation’s capital to take on the Georgetown Hoyas. The Cardinals (21-5, 12-2 Big East) will try to extend its winning streak to four strait before taking a week off to prepare for their only ranked opponent remaining on the schedule. 10th ranked Marquette will roll into Freedom Hall March 1st. The road has been good to Louisville so far this season (6-1) and in general since joining the BIG EAST. Its only road loss was the debacle at Notre Dame four games ago. Louisville has won more road games in BIG EAST play over the last three seasons than any other league team (18; six in each of the last two years and six of seven this season). Overall, the Cardinals have an 18-6 record over the last three years on their opponent’s home court. The Cards have won 10 of its last 12 on the road, including five against Top 25 ranked opponents.

It’s no surprise by now that Terrence Williams is the anchor of this Cardinal team. Twill recently became the eighth player in Louisville history to reach the 1,400 point mark to go along with 800 rebounds (1,428 pts., 867 reb.). Twill needs just 25 points to move him into the Top 20 scorers all-time in Cardinal history; Williams is also 7th in steals and 5th in assists for his career. Earl Clark has scored in double figures in 27 of his last 31 games dating back to last season. Clark notched a double-double in three of his last four games and just missed a triple-double vs. DePaul and Providence (11 pts., 10 reb. at Notre Dame; 12 pts., 11 reb., 8 asst. vs. DePaul; and 13 pts., 10 reb., 7 asst. vs. Providence). Edgar Sosa has 23 assists with only seven turnovers in the Cardinals’ last 10 games; and as a team the Cards are on fire during their three game streak, shooting a collective 54.3 percent from the field (101-of-186) while handing out assists on 60 of those 101 field goals.

The Hoyas (14-11, 5-9 Big East) have lost eight of their last 10 games after starting the season 10-1. Georgetown has lost two games in a row, and three of its last four, at home. Last year the final regular season game decided the BIG EAST Conference championship and the Hoyas won it on DaJuan Summer’s three-point goal with 39 seconds remaining, 55-52. The junior forward Summers (14.0 ppg), who is the 40th Hoya to reach 1,000 career points, leads four Georgetown players averaging double figures in scoring.

Freshman center Greg Monroe, who shared preseason Rookie of the Year honors in the BIG EAST with Louisville’s Samardo Samuels, averages 13.0 points and a team-leading 6.8 rebounds. However, his first season playing college basketball has started to take a bit of a toll, as the freshman standout matched his season high with five turnovers against South Florida. He’s averaged 3.7 turnovers in the last six games and only 2.3 assists over the same stretch. Sophomore guard Chris Wright has taken charge in the past three games, following up his career-high 25 points at Syracuse with 17 more on 6-for-9 shooting at South Florida and 17 again on Saturday against Marquette. He dished out 16 assists in those three games, improving his season average to 3.8.

Thanks to their number one ranked strength of schedule, the Hoyas are still clinging to the slimmest of hopes that they can somehow make a late run and get into the tourney. Their current RPI is 44, and their record stands at 14-11 (5-9 BIG EAST). A loss at home Monday night though, and barring a BIG EAST Tournament run, I would have to think their dancing hopes are all but over. Only 26 opponents have scored more than 60 points against Georgetown in the last two-plus years, spanning 96 games. Even with their recent home struggles, Georgetown is 30-8 at Verizon Center against the BIG EAST under John Thompson III; and have won 17 of their last 21 games at home against league opponents.

Bobby E’s Gamebreaker: FREE THROW SHOOTING!!!

Louisville’s free throw shooting has left much more than a lot to be desired this year. As Rolf and Tomarken have repeatedly touched on in their recaps, the Cardinals need to make the free ones. The Hoyas are in a desperate situation and regardless of their recent home struggles, The Verizon Center is one of the toughest places to play in the country. Both teams are stellar defensively and free throw shots are going to be the easiest looks either team will get all game, the Cards need to knock down theirs to extend their winning streak to four and maintain their spot atop the BIG EAST.

The game will be televised nationally on ESPN with Mike Patrick (play-by-play) and Len Elmore (color) calling the action. Ugh! To read all you need to know about the play-by-play man, check out Wink’s thoughts on Mr. Patrick. You can also hear the game broadcast on WKRD (790 AM, 101.7 FM) (joined in progress on WHAS 840 AM) by Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (color) or on SIRIUS satellite ch. 123.