CardinalSports.com - Cards complete high-scoring scrimmage on Media Day

October 23, 2009

Howie Lindsey
CardinalSports.com Managing Editor

Louisville's men's basketball team split into teams and completed a 40-minute refereed scrimmage after Media Day Thursday. While it was fun to see a glimpse of Louisville's team on the practice court, one thing was clear: These Cards can score. The Red, led by 28 points from Jared Swopshire, 26 pints and 14 rebounds from Samardo Samuels and 25 points from freshman Mike Marra, team beat the White team 103-94.

Here is the UofL press release on the scrimmage:
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Sophomore forward Samardo Samuels scored 26 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and handed out five assists to lead the University of Louisville red team to a 103-94 victory in an intrasquad scrimmage on Thursday.

Jared Swopshire led the Red team in scoring with 28 points, while Mike Marra added 25. Marra connected on 7-of-14 three-point goals in the first half in leading the red team with 23 points at the intermission. Edgar Sosa scored 10 points and handed out a team-high eight assists. Reginald Delk totaled 13 points, six rebounds, four assists and a game-high four steals. The red team assisted on 27 of its 34 field goals and shot 56.7 percent from the field.

"I think offensively, we're way ahead of schedule, and defensively we're way behind schedule," said U of L Coach Rick Pitino. "Offensively, we shoot the ball terrific, we pass the ball terrific, and we're in great condition for this time of year. It's to be expected that we're behind defensively because we lost three great defensive players from last year. I'm a little surprised how well our freshman are in condition and able to get through it. I'm real happy with the guys. I'm having a lot of fun coaching them because of their incredible desire to work. They're all basketball junkies."

Preston Knowles scored a game-high 32 points to lead the White squad. Knowles hit 9-of-11 shots in the first half, leading all scorers with 25 at the break. Five other members of the White team scored in double figures, including Kyle Kuric's 18 points and team-high 10 rebounds.

Senior co-captain Jerry Smith did not participate in the scrimmage. He left following media day activities to be with his girlfriend awaiting the birth of their first child.

The Cardinals began the afternoon with their annual media day, providing interview and photo opportunities. The team practiced for 40 minutes before the start of the scrimmage and had another 40 minutes of individual instruction in the morning. UofL returns nine lettermen from last year's BIG EAST Championship team which also earned the top seed in the NCAA Tournament and reached the NCAA Elite Eight with a 31-6 record.

Fans can get a first look at the team at a Red-White intrasquad scrimmage on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. in Freedom Hall. Tickets for the event are $5 at the UofL Ticket Office; online at www.ticketmaster.com online, by calling (502) 361-3100 or by visiting any Ticketmaster Ticket Center, including statewide Kroger locations. Convenience fees are applied with Ticketmaster orders. Further information can be obtained by calling the UofL ticket office at (502) 852-5863.

UofL plays its first exhibition game on Wednesday, Oct. 28 against Georgetown College in Freedom Hall. The Cards open the season on Nov. 17 against Arkansas in the Hall of Fame Showcase in St. Louis, Mo.