BIG EAST GAME PREVIEW: LOUISVILLE @ VILLANOVA

January 10, 2009

The Big East wastes no time putting a top match-up on the court on Saturday with Louisville travelling to Villanova for a high-noon showdown.

The Wildcats evened their Big East record at 1-1 with an 89-85 overtime win over Seton Hall at the Prudential Center 9n Newark (NJ) earlier this week. Star junior guard Scottie Reynolds carried ‘Nova to the win, matching a career-high with 40 points in the victory. His performance was needed, every single point, as highly regarded sophomores Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher, both former New Jersey high school stars, both went scoreless.

Louisville finally opened their conference schedule this week as the Cards travelled to Tampa and came out of the sunshine state with a win over South Florida, 71-57. Earl Clark was the star of the show with 22 points and 9 rebounds as UL won in their first true road game of the season.

Here are some game previews and stories found on the ‘net this morning:

Cards Start Tough Stretch (Louisville Courier-Journal)
Cardinals Prepping for Speedy Villanova (SportingNews.com)

This will be another test for the Louisville guard corps of Edgar Sosa, Andre McGee, Jerry Smith and Preston Knowles as the Wildcats are always guard heavy. Jay Wright will try and extend the defense to push the UL offense away from the basket to neutralize the size advantage the Cards enjoy with Samardo Samuels and Earl Clark in the frontcourt. The ball-handling and passing of Terrence Williams could be a big key in this one.

Villanova is coming off an OT win at Seton Hall, but they are going to need Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes to provide MUCH more offense to win against the better teams of the Big East. Stokes is bumped and bruised, so they need him healthy as his perimeter shooting ability opens it up for the other guards to get to the rim and take the pressure of Scotty Reynolds.

Inside, Dante Cunningham is going to have his hands full with Samuels and Clark on the boards. VU will need Antonio Pena and Shane Clark to play big to keep the opportunistic Cards off the boards.

The early morning college basketball betting odds have Villanova as a 2 ½ point favorite to defend their home court. Winning at home is essential in college basketball and the importance is only multiplied in the Big East. This is a great opportunity to see what both UL and ‘Nova are made off this season. Expect a close, tight game with the Wildcat guards fending off Louisville in a nail biter.

NBE Blogger Prediction:

Villanova 66
Louisville 65