We're tempted to just say that Savannah State has lost nine straight, and that they blow and call it a preview, but we won't because we're aware of our readers' unparrallelled thirst for knowledge regarding Division I Independents.
Brief Overview:
The season has already been a success for the Tigers in that their five wins are two more than they had all of last season. But since starting the season 5-0, SSU has dropped nine straight, including lopsided losses to Illinois (81-34), UMass (72-49), Southern Miss (61-45), and NC State (74-53). In their most recent game the Tigers were pounded by Big East brethren West Virginia 76-41.
The Tigers are led by a pair of players under six-feet tall. 5-10 Javon Randolph is averaging just over 17 points and 33 minutes per game and is the team's best outside threat, cashing in on 25-of-63(39%) attempts from beyond the arc. Joseph Flegler is the only other Savannah State player averaging double figures, the 5-9 junior guard is scoring just over 10 points a game. Flegler scored 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting in an 11-point loss to Iowa State one week ago.
This guy would probably start for us.
Stats:
Record ............ 5-9
Scoring Average.....57.6
Points Allowed .....64.7
Scoring Margin .....-7.1
FG Percentage .... .400
Opp. FG Percentage .409
3-Pt. Percentage . .338
FT Percentage .... .704
Rebound Margin ....-1.9
Turnover Margin ...-2.9
Probable Starting Lineups:
Louisville (5-4)
F 1 Terrence WILLIAMS
F 3 Juan PALACIOS
C 4 David PADGETT
G 10 Edgar SOSA
G 11 Brandon JENKINS
Savannah State (5-9)
F 10 Joshua OBIAJUNWA
F 14 Lazarius COLEMAN
F 24 Chris LINTON
G 3 Joseph FLEGLER
G 34 Javon RANDOLPH
Pitino Speak:
"I don't want to see any tightness from us. I saw that in practice yesterday. If anybody makes a facial expression about a missed shot they are coming out. I don't want to see that. They shouldn't be that way. They should be pleased they made the extra pass, played great defense, and maybe some game coming up they are going to be on fire. That is what I want to see most. I don't want to see a tight team."
"You look at us right now and people will say, 'Oh, they are not really that good. They lost to Arizona, Kentucky, Dayton, UMass. They are not very good.' Well, I wouldn't look at it that way at all. I think we are a good basketball team, I really do. I like what is going on. I like the fact that we are getting healthier and that we are getting our young people a lot of playing time."
"I think their confidence is a little shaken because you lose two home games at the University of Louisville, regardless of playing good opponents, it does shake you, there's no doubt about that. They're very disappointed. Losing is no fun. I always believe when you lose two in a row at home you should feel down, then right before you play the next game you get up again."
Bold Prediction: We will beat the absolute piss out of this team and many people will get far too excited about it.