TicketsFeb. 22, 2012
The University of Cincinnati plays host to No. 17/17 Louisville on Thursday at Fifth Third Arena beginning at 9 p.m. ET. The game will be televised by ESPN and can be heard on 700 WLW-AM.
The contest also serves as the annual "black out" game. Fans are encourged to wear black at the arena.
The Bearcats (19-8, 9-5 BIG EAST) won for the fourth time in five games on Saturday defeating Seton Hall 62-57 at home. Dion Dixon led all scorers with 20 points to go with six rebounds and a team-high five assists. Cashmere Wright added 13 points with a trio of three-pointers. Jaquon Parker contributed 12 points.
Louisville (21-6, 9-5 BIG EAST) rallied from a 17-point first-half deficit to claim a 90-82 overtime win at DePaul on Saturday. Kyle Kuric led the Cardinals with 25 points thanks in part to five three-pointers.
Thursday's contest marks the 95th meeting in series history. Louisville leads 53-41 overall. The Bearcats own a 23-21 lead in games played in Cincinnati, including last season's 63-54 win on Feb. 16.
GAME AT A GLANCE
Series Info: 95th meeting; Louisville leads 53-41 in the overall series; UC leads 23-21 in Cincinnati and 3-2 at neutral sites; U of L leads 30-15 in Louisville. STREAK - UC has won the last two meetings.
Last Meeting: UC won 63-54 at Fifth Third Arena on Feb. 16, 2011.
Coaches: Mick Cronin is in his sixth season at Cincinnati (106-85); ninth season overall (175-109). Cronin is 3-4 vs. Louisville. Rick Pitino is in his 11th season at Louisville (266-102); 26th season overall (618-226).
Rankings: Louisville is ranked 17th in both the Associated Press and the USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls for Feb. 20. UC is not ranked in either poll.
Radio: 700 WLW; Dan Hoard provides play-by-play alongside color analyst Chuck Machock. Mo Egger engineers.
TV: ESPN; Mike Patrick provides play-by-play alongside color analyst Len Elmore. Aaron Stokkov serves as producer. Scott Katz directs.
UC Twitter Page: @GoBEARCATS
STREAKS, STORYLINES & SIDEBARS
-A win Thursday gives Cincinnati 20 wins this season. It would mark the first back-to-back 20-win seasons for the Bearcats since the 2005 and 2006 campaigns. UC was 25-8 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2005. The Bearcats followed with a 21-13 record in 2006, advancing to the third round of the NIT.
-A win against Louisville also would give UC 10 or more conference wins in consecutive seasons for the first time since the Bearcats joined the BIG EAST Conference prior to 2005-06. UC was 11-7 in the league a year ago, tying West Virginia for sixth place in the standings.
-UC has won six of its last 10 regular-season games against ranked opponents dating back to last season.
-UC has played in a BIG EAST-high 10 games decided by five or less points or in overtime this season. Its six wins in such games also lead the conference.
-Sophomore guard Sean Kilpatrick leads the BIG EAST and ranks 40th nationally in three-pointers per game (2.7) through Feb. 19.
-Senior forward Yancy Gates is listed fourth in the BIG EAST and ranks 41st nationally in rebounds per game (9.2) through Feb. 19.