Arkansas Basketball Preview

Louisville Cardinals vs. Arkansas Razorbacks

Scott Trade Center, St. Louis, MO

7:35 pm

Louisville Projected Starting Lineup

F Jared Swopshire #21

C Samardo Samuels #15

G Preston Knowles #2

G Jerry Smith #34

G Edgar Sosa #10

Arkansas Projected Starting Lineup

F Jemal Farmer #2

F Marshawn Powell #33

C Mike Washington #00

G Rotnei Clarke #15

G Julysses Nobles #23

News & Notes

• Last Meeting: Arkansas 100 - Louisville 83 (December 9, 1997)
• Series History: 3-3 (Louisville has won 3 of the last 4)
• Probably the most talked about story leading into this game is the suspension of five players, one of which may have been the star of the team, Courtney Fortson. Another starter, Stefan Walsh, was suspended as well. This leaves the team lacking in depth, and turning to a member of the golf team, as well as a former football player to fill space.
• Even with the suspensions, Arkansas won their first game against Alcorn State 130-68. Granted it was Alcorn State, but that is an impressive point total and margin of victory for a team so lacking in depth. In that game, guard Rotnei Clarke set an SEC record by draining 13 three-pointers on the way to putting up 51 points.
• For the Cards, what should be an exciting season starts tonight. After losing 2 starters to the NBA (lottery picks at that), some players have to step up (Jerry & Edgar I'm talking to you). We are deep at the guard and center positions, and will probably play a lot of 3 guard lineups until we see some improvement at the SF position.
• Wait! John Pelphrey played for Rick Pitino at UK!?! Thankfully the media will be sure to tell us more about this breaking news event that is sure to have a huge impact on tonight's game.

Tonight should be an exciting beginning to a great season (hopefully). Containing Rotnei Clarke should will be a good test to our defense, and of course seeing the young guys against better talent is never a bad thing. How deep are we? How will our big men look? Will we see Good or Bad Edgar tonight? Will Preston Knowles make it impossible for us to get up from our seat multiple times throughout the game? These questions and more are up to be answered tonight. Our prediction -

Louisville 89 - Arkansas 76