2009-2010 Louisville Predictions
2008-09 Record: (31-6, 16-2 Big East)
Coach: Rick Pitino (8th year, 200-73 at Louisville)
Assistants: Ralph Willard, Steve Masiello, Walter McCarty
Ret. Starters/Lost: 2/3

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Overview: Rick Pitino lost his best player in Earl Clark (14.2ppg, 8.7rpg) along with Terrence Williams (12.5ppg, 8.6rpg) and G Andre McGee. However, he could have lost his job after a major controversy involving blackmail, sex and money with a woman who was not his wife. The image and credibility of a ocach who has won 552 games were tarnished forever. Now, Pitino has to rebuild Louisville with two returning starters. It starts up front where he returns sophomore Samardo Samuels (6-9, 260), who averaged 11.8ppg annd 4.9rpg. He has immense potential to become one of the best centers in the Big East. With Clark and Williams gone, he’ll have to rebound more. Sophomore Terrence Jennings (6-9, 220) is a lanky and talented player who blocked 1.6 shots per game in limited minutes. He should become a force in his second season. The backcourt will be led by a pair of senior guards in 6-2 Edgar Sosa (7.3ppg, 2.4apg) and 6-2 Jerry Smith (7.8ppg, 41.2% 3pt). Smith is a tremendous long-range shooter, but doesn’t do much else. Sosa is a solid playmaker, but below-average shooter. Freshman Peyton Siva (5-11) is the future point guard and will need some time to blossom. Preston Knowles (6.1ppg) is a 6-1 combo guard and a tremendous sixth-man. Freshman Mike Marra (6-4, 200) is another long-range shooter who should get some time off the bench.

Outlook: Louisville should be decent, but this will be a tough test for Pitino. He usually gets an inexperienced group like this that lacks great talent to overachieve. Samuels could be a beat and Smith and Sosa are solid, but who wil be the next Clark or Williams? The next do-it-all forward? Will Jennings be that guy as a sophomore?

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