TV info, storylines for U of L-UNC Wilmington

UNC WILMINGTON AT U OF L

Game time: 6:05 p.m. Site: KFC Yum! Center. Line: Louisville by 28.5 points. Series: First meeting. Television: ESPNU. Radio: WHAS-840.

UNC WILMINGTON (3-2)

Pos.-Player Ht. Cl. Rb. Pts.

G-Craig Ponder 6-1 Jr. 2.6 12.0

G-Freddie Jackson 6-4 Sr. 5.4 18.0

G-Addison Spruill 6-4 Sr. 5.2 14.0

F-Cedrick Williams 6-9 Sr. 8.8 11.4

F-Chuck Ogbodo 6-9 So. 1.0 1.2

Key reserves - C.J. Gettys, C, 7-0, R-So., 4.2 pts.; Jordan Talley, G, 6-0, Fr., 5.4; Malik Pugh, G, 6-1, Fr., 6.2; Kevin Hickson, F, 6-8, Jr., 1.2.

Louisville (8-0)

Pos.-Player Ht. Cl. Rb. Pts.

G-Chris Jones 5-10 Sr. 4.8 13.3

G-Terry Rozier 6-1 So. 5.8 14.6

F-Wayne Blackshear 6-5 Sr. 6.0 13.0

F-Montrezl Harrell 6-8 Jr. 9.6 16.8

C-Chinanu Onuaku 6-10 Fr. 6.6 5.4

Key reserves – Mangok Mathiang, C, 6-10, R-So., 4.0 pts.; Anton Gill, G, 6-3, So., 4.4; Quentin Snider, G, 6-1, Fr., 1.6; David Levitch, G, 6-3, So., 1.6; Jaylen Johnson, F, 6-9, Fr., 2.3; Anas Mahmoud, F, 7-0, Fr., 1.0; Matz Stockman, C, 7-0, 1.3; Akoy Agau, F, 6-8, So., 0.0.

STORYLINES

The meaning of Sunday's game, as former U of L assistant and now UNCW head coach Kevin Keatts said, goes beyond just basketball. It's the 13th annual Billy Minardi Classic, a game played in honor of U of L coach Rick Pitino's brother-in-law who was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Louisville's won its last nine games against first-time opponents, and the Cardinals have never played UNC Wilmington before in basketball. Wilmington, a member of the strong mid-major Colonial Athletic Association, probably ranks just behind WKU, Long Beach State and Cleveland State among U of L's top mid-major opponents this season.

U of L's defense is off to a frenetic start. The Cards rank in the top 11 in seven of the top nine defensive efficiency categories, including second in steal percentage and fourth in turnover percentage. UNC Wilmington should be able to match Louisville's playing pace, but the Seahawks' 23-percent turnover rate could pose a problem.