Louisville's best string of defensive efforts in a little more than six decades has helped it overcome a rash of early injuries, and its latest performance was its finest yet.
Coach Rick Pitino, though, is hoping for a better effort at the other end of the floor when his seventh-ranked Cardinals face unbeaten Ohio on Friday night in the final game of the Global Sports Invitational.
Louisville (4-0) has held four consecutive opponents to fewer than 55 points for the first time since Dec. 4-14, 1946, and it's among the nation's best in allowing 44.0 per game. That's helped the Cardinals thrive despite injuries to Peyton Siva (ankle), Rakeem Buckles (knee), Wayne Blackshear (shoulder) and Mike Marra (knee).
Siva is doubtful for this game while Buckles made his return to practice Thursday for the first time following surgery. He's expected to play in a few weeks.
Forward Stephan Van Treese, though, played his second game since a knee injury during a 54-27 win over Arkansas State on Tuesday night.
The Cardinals hadn't given up such few points since a 20-13 win over Georgetown College on Feb. 4, 1947. But after praising his defense, Pitino expressed concern for Louisville's offensive performance, which included a season-low 37.3 percent shooting.
Leading scorer Kyle Kuric was one of only two players in double figures (12 points) along with center Gorgui Dieng (10).
"We play two good teams coming up that if we play offense like we did tonight, we will get blown out by 20 points," Pitino said. "That is how good Ohio is and that is how good Long Beach State is. They're both terrific teams, and I'm really impressed with Ohio."
The Bobcats are seeking their second 4-0 start in three seasons after topping Arkansas State 69-54 on Sunday. Unlike Louisville, Ohio didn't have any problems sharing the ball as five players scored in double figures with three netting 13 apiece, including leading scorer D.J. Cooper, who averages 15.3.
Cooper will now try to lead his team to its second upset of a Top 25 foe in four tries and deny Pitino his 250th win at Louisville. The junior guard scored 23 points when the Bobcats knocked off then-No. 14 Georgetown in the first round of the 2010 NCAA tournament.
Cooper was the only player in double figures the last time Ohio faced a ranked opponent, scoring 16 in a 98-41 loss to then-No. 6 Kansas in Las Vegas last Nov. 26. The Bobcats are 1-13 in their last 14 games against Top 25 opponents, including a 91-56 loss at Louisville on Dec. 7, 2008.
The Cardinals are 22-2 all-time at the KFC Yum! Center and have won 12 in a row there. They're 7-0 at home against Ohio and lead the series 9-3.
