Today Rick Pitino announced that Chane Behanan has a moderate high ankle sprain suffered in practice. He is expected to miss three to four games
Louisville isn't the only one limping into tomorrow night's game in New Jersey. Seton Hall will be without both Brian Oliver (8.5 ppg/4.6 rpg) and seldom-used reserve Aaron Geramipoor (0.3 ppg/1.3 rpg), who are both dealing with lower body injuries. The Pirates have also been playing without junior big man Patrik Auda since Nov. 21.
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NEUTRALIZING 'RUSSDICULOUS'
Given the ways he can change the flow of a game on either side of the ball at the drop of a hat, Louisville's Russ Smith has become one of the toughest players to prep for in the country. So how will Seton Hall try and stop him tonight? Here's a peek into what Pirates head coach Kevin Willard is thinking:
1. Limit the effectiveness in half-court sets
"You can't let him do what he does. Get some steals, layups, follow shots and the fast-break, but then he'll also kill you in the half-court. You've got to eliminate one or the other. You eliminate all his craziness and make him work in the half-court or you live with the fact that he's going to get some crazy stuff. But make it almost impossible for him in the half-court."
2. Acknowledge he's going to get his points
"You really have to deal with the fact that he's going to get some steals and fast-breaks. You can game-plan for him in the half-court. I think every team has someone like him. Like (DePaul's) Cleveland Melvin. We don't game plan for Cleveland Melvin. We just say, 'OK, Cleve's going to get his, let's try to stop the other guys.' Russ is going to get his in the fast-break. Where we don't want him, is effective in the half-court. If he's effective in the half-court, he's going to make you chase and that's where it opens things up."
3. Don't forget about the point guard
"I still worry about (Peyton) Siva. Because he's the guy who's getting everybody involved. He's the guy getting in the lane. He's improved dramatically and turned himself into a fabulous point guard. He's throws great bounce-passes and the guys all trust him and know where he's going to go. You have to do a job on containing Siva. If you don't stop him, it doesn't matter what Russ does."
Louisville isn't the only one limping into tomorrow night's game in New Jersey. Seton Hall will be without both Brian Oliver (8.5 ppg/4.6 rpg) and seldom-used reserve Aaron Geramipoor (0.3 ppg/1.3 rpg), who are both dealing with lower body injuries. The Pirates have also been playing without junior big man Patrik Auda since Nov. 21.
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NEUTRALIZING 'RUSSDICULOUS'
Given the ways he can change the flow of a game on either side of the ball at the drop of a hat, Louisville's Russ Smith has become one of the toughest players to prep for in the country. So how will Seton Hall try and stop him tonight? Here's a peek into what Pirates head coach Kevin Willard is thinking:
1. Limit the effectiveness in half-court sets
"You can't let him do what he does. Get some steals, layups, follow shots and the fast-break, but then he'll also kill you in the half-court. You've got to eliminate one or the other. You eliminate all his craziness and make him work in the half-court or you live with the fact that he's going to get some crazy stuff. But make it almost impossible for him in the half-court."
2. Acknowledge he's going to get his points
"You really have to deal with the fact that he's going to get some steals and fast-breaks. You can game-plan for him in the half-court. I think every team has someone like him. Like (DePaul's) Cleveland Melvin. We don't game plan for Cleveland Melvin. We just say, 'OK, Cleve's going to get his, let's try to stop the other guys.' Russ is going to get his in the fast-break. Where we don't want him, is effective in the half-court. If he's effective in the half-court, he's going to make you chase and that's where it opens things up."
3. Don't forget about the point guard
"I still worry about (Peyton) Siva. Because he's the guy who's getting everybody involved. He's the guy getting in the lane. He's improved dramatically and turned himself into a fabulous point guard. He's throws great bounce-passes and the guys all trust him and know where he's going to go. You have to do a job on containing Siva. If you don't stop him, it doesn't matter what Russ does."
