TV info, story lines for U of L-LBSU

LONG BEACH STATE AT U OF L

Game time: 4:02 p.m. Site: KFC Yum! Center. Line: Louisville by 18 points. Series: U of L won the only meeting 79-66 in 2011 at the Yum! Center. Television: N/A. Online broadcast: ESPN3.com. Radio: WHAS-840.

PROJECTED STARTERS

LONG BEACH STATE (5-9)

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

G-Mike Caffey 6-0 Sr. 3.6 17.6

G-McKay LaSalle 6-3 Sr. 1.1 4.5

G-Tyler Lamb 6-5 Sr. 4.5 10.6

F-Temidayo Yussuf 6-7 Fr. 3.4 5.4

F-David Samuels 6-7 Sr. 5.3 7.9

Key reserves - Deontae North, G, 6-4, Fr., 5.1 pts.; Travis Hammonds, F, 6-6, So., 3.7; Branford Jones, 6-1, G, So., 7.1; Jack Williams, F, 6-8, Fr., 3.9; Eric McKnight, 6-9, F, Sr., 3.2; Justin Bibbins, G, 5-8, Fr., 1.6.

LOUISVILLE (11-1)

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

G-Shaqquan Aaron 6-7 Fr. 1.5 1.5

G-Terry Rozier 6-1 So. 5.8 16.6

F-Wayne Blackshear 6-5 Sr. 5.7 13.4

F-Montrezl Harrell 6-8 Jr. 9.8 16.0

F-Anas Mahmoud 7-0 Fr. 2.8 1.9

Key reserves – Chris Jones, G, 5-10, Sr., 12.3 pts.; Chinanu Onuaku, F, 6-10, Fr., 4.3; Mangok Mathiang, C, 6-10, R-So., 3.0; Anton Gill, G, 6-3, So., 3.6; Quentin Snider, G, 6-1, Fr., 2.3; David Levitch, G, 6-3, So., 2.5; Jaylen Johnson, F, 6-9, Fr., 1.8; Matz Stockman, C, 7-0, 1.3.

STORY LINES

U of L enters Tuesday's game hoping to figure out some of the offensive woes that've plagued the Cardinals in recent games. Though Kentucky deserves credit for its defense, Louisville also missed multiple open shots and never found a rhythm on offense. The Cards' passing and spacing has not been consistent this season, and that's the main reason Louisville ranks 55th in the nation in offensive efficiency.

Louisville coach Rick Pitino said he'd experiment with a different starting line during a Monday afternoon radio appearance, and it appears that freshmen Anas Mahmoud and Shaqquan Aaron have a real chance at starting against Long Beach State. Aaron, a 6-foot-7 wing, came out firing against UK, making his first collegiate basket from about 22 feet on a transition 3-pointer. His confidence -- and Mahmoud's -- will be put to the test with new responsibility on Tuesday.

Chris Jones is in desperate search for a rhythm this season, and Long Beach State presents the last opportunity to find some mojo before conference play starts. The 5-foot-10 guard is one of the best on-ball defenders in the country, which helps Louisville's top-flight defense, but his offensive struggles are painfully obvious. He needs to find ways to get his teammates involved and take simpler shots.