Hall Of Fame Tip-Off: Louisville-Fairfield Preview

LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (4-0) vs. FAIRFIELD STAGS (1-3)

Game Time: 2:30 p.m. (or 25 minutes after the conclusion of the noon game between Richmond and North Carolina)

Location: Mohegan Sun Arena: Uncasville, Conn.

Television: ESPN3.com

Announcers: Doug Sherman (play-by-play) and Malcolm Huckaby (analyst)

Series History: First meeting

Favorite: Louisville by 25.5

Probable Starting Lineups:

Statistics:

Relevant Video:

The powers that be involved in the contest originally tried to say this guy didn't get the car because he stepped over the halfcourt line, but a public outcry ultimately forced them to give in.

Notable:

--This is the second semifinal game of the championship round of the Hall of Fame Tip-Off. The winner will face the winner of North Carolina vs. Richmond in Sunday's championship game on ESPN.

--Louisville is seeking its 27th regular season tournament championship.

--Louisville enters the weekend leading the nation in fewest turnovers per game (6.0) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.60). U of L has committed 10 or fewer turnovers in each of its last seven games dating back to last year.

--U of L and Fairfield have a common opponent in Hartford. Louisville destroyed the Hawks, 87-48, while Hartford got the better of the Stags, 63-53.

--Louisville is in the midst of a 20-game winning streak, the longest in program history.

--Fairfield was picked to finish sixth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference before the season. Former U of L assistant Steve Masiello's Manhattan squad is the preseason favorite in the MAAC.

--The Stags have a double-digit rebounding advantage this season with a +10.0 average margin through its first four games. Fairfield has a -8.0 turnover margin while Louisville is among the national leaders with a +15.5 turnover margin.

--Rick Pitino is 4-0 all-time against Fairfield, with all four victories coming during his time as the head coach at Boston University.

--Louisville won the 2013 Division-I championship.

Ken Pom Prediction: Louisville 72, Fairfield 52