#19 Louisville Cardinals vs Arkansas Razorbacks
Site:Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO
Time: 7:30 pm EST
TV: ESPN2
Radio: WHAS (840 AM)

The University of Louisville Men’s Basketball team will finally open its regular season schedule tonight against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Hall of Fame Showcase in St. Louis, MO.  The Razorbacks have already had a tune up for this game by defeating Alcorn State 130-68 last Friday night.  The Razorbacks put on an offensive clinic in that game led by Sophomore guard Rotnei Clarke’s 51 points.  The 51 points were a school record, and Clarke also set an SEC record with 13 three-point field goals. 

The Razorbacks return several key players from last year’s team that started 12-1, including victories over #4 Oklahoma and #6 Texas, before finishing with a 14-16 record.  Clarke was the nation’s top freshman three-point shooter a year ago when he converted on 39% of his tries.  They also return the SEC’s leading rebounder in Senior Center Mike Washington.  Washington averaged 9.8 boards per game. Arkansas is also missing five players due to suspension for violating team rules. One of those suspended is Arkansas’s leading assist man from last season Courtney Fortson.  Despite the suspensions, the Razorbacks have a very talented team. Here is how the starting lineups for tonight’s game should look:

Starting Lineups 
Louisville
F 21 Jared Swopshire 6′8 205lb So 1.4ppg 1.1rpg
C 15 Samardo Samuels 6′9 260lb So 11.8ppg 4.9rpg
G 2 Preston Knowles 6′1 190lb Jr 6.1ppg 2.1rpg
G 34 Jerry Smith 6′2 190lb Sr 7.8ppg 2.1rpg
G 10 Egar Sosa 6′2 175lb Sr 7.3ppg 1.4rpg

(stats based on 2008-2009 season)

Arkansas
F 2 Jemal Farmer 6′5 213lb Jr 28.0ppg 12.0rpg
F 33 Marshawn Powell 6′7 220lb Fr 17.0ppg 11.0rpg
C 00 Mike Washington 6′9 239lb Sr 14.0ppg 5.0rpg
G 15 Rotnei Clarke 6′0 184lb So 51.0ppg 2.0rpg
G 23 Julysses Nobles 6′1 170lb Fr 8.0ppg 3.0rpg

As you can see from the numbers that the Arkansas starters posted against Alcorn State, the Cards will have their hands full. Arkansas is an athletic team that can flat out shoot the ball. They shot well over 50% against Alcorn St., going 43-78 (55%) from the field. The Razorbacks also connected on 16-30 (53%) from downtown. They also are tough inside and crash the boards very well. The Razorbacks do a tremendous job of taking care of the basketball. In their opening game against Alcorn St., the Hogs committed only nine turnovers. They also forced 24 turnovers in the victory which means they put good pressure on you defensively. If the Cards are to come away with a victory, here is what they must do:

Key’s to Victory

1) Jerry Smith needs to show up.  Smith had two sub-par performances in Louisville’s two exhibition victories.  Smith is Louisville’s best shooter and needs to be on top of his game if the Cards are going to out score the Hogs.  Smith also needs to be a leader on the court since this is the Cards first game.  He and Sosa need to keep the Freshman under control and keep the team operating together.

2) The Freshman need to step up.  Peyton Siva and Rakeem Buckles need to play like Sophomores and Juniors.  This means not making the typical Freshman mistakes.  Siva needs to take care of the ball and run the offense efficiently when he is in at point guard.  Everyone knows he is a special player that can make plays.  My worry is he will be nervous and try to do too much.  He needs to play within himself and he will be fine.  Buckles needs to play good defense and crash the boards.  Arkansas is tough on the glass, so Buckles needs to battle with them.  Buckles showed in the preseason that he is an outstanding defender.  He can block shots and has quick hands to disrupt the passing lanes.  He needs to show more of this tonight. 

3) The bench must play well.  Louisville has tremendous depth on the bench with guy’s like Kyle Kuric, Terrance Jennings, Reginald Delk, Siva, and Buckles.  These guys need to come in and pick up where the starters left off.  Provide energy on the offensive and defensive end, and wear down the Razorbacks. 

4) Apply defensive pressure.  This is a staple of Rick Pitino teams.  The Cards need to press the Razorbacks and cause chaos among their offense.  If you can disrupt their offensive rhythm, they won’t shoot the ball as well and they will commit turnovers.  Also, the defense needs to find the shooters.  They can’t let Clarke get good looks or he will make you pay.  Get out on the shooters and apply tremendous pressure and this team should be fine.

5) Go with your strengths.  This means getting the ball inside to Samuels.  Establish the inside game first with one of the Big East’s best big men.  Once he starts scoring and dominating inside, the outside game will open up for guy’s like Smith and Knowles.

The Louisville vs Arkansas all-time series is tied at 3-3.  The last meeting between these two teams came on December 9, 1997 at Freedom Hall.  The Razorbacks won that meeting 100-83.