I was leaning Louisville before I saw this and though its from yesterday I think it may still convince me to take Louisville...
GL either way.
http://www.covers.com/includes/articles.aspx?theArt=17685&tid=29
Cincy's perfect run in big trouble
Jon Campbell
The Cincinnati Bearcats are getting four points when they travel to Louisville tonight to take on the Cards. You may think that's a lot to give a team with a perfect record (13-0 straight up). And you may be right.
But a closer look tells you the line has a little more substance than just homecourt disadvantage for Cincy. About half the team could have spent the last couple days in a clinic.
Team leading scorer Jason Maxiell sprained his right ankle in Saturday's game against TCU. He sat out Sunday's practice, but returned for Monday's workout and ran with difficulty. In addition, power forward Erick Hicks is battling the flu, backup center Robert Whaley left Monday's practice for stitches after mistaking his tongue for a striploin, and guard Armien Kirkland is still slowed by a Jan. 7 knee sprain.
All four players are expected to play against Louisville, though none of the four are expected to be 100 percent. Each man averages at least 15 minutes per game and they combine for 34.7 points and 18.4 rebounds.
"We've got guys banged up," Bearcats coach Bob Huggins told the Cincinnati Post. "We haven't had two real good days (of practice Sunday and Monday). I like getting into people's benches, but we have to have all of our guys. If we're playing with seven or eight guys, then it's a little different story."
Cincy and Louisville are two teams like to fly up the court all game and grind teams down on defense by throwing a full bench at the opposition. Both clubs sport 10 players who see double digits in minutes per outing.
The Bearcats and Cards also mirror one another in other key aspects. They each net slightly more than 80 points per game and allow about 58. Louisville is 13-1 straight up. And No. 5 Cincy sits one spot ahead of the Cards in the polls.
Tomorrow night, we'll find out if UC can maintain its ranking. So far, it's shaping up like Louisville has the advantage.
