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Well-rested Louisville faces Hartford in opener

Nov 17, 2007 - 2:01 PM Hartford (1-2) at No. 6 Louisville (0-0) 12:00 pm EST

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Ticker) - Big East co-favorite and sixth-ranked Louisville gets a rare season opener at home Saturday, facing non-conference opponent Hartford in the opening round of the Las Vegas Invitational.

Saturday's game marks the seventh time in the last 28 years that the Cardinals will open the season at home. Louisville hasn't played since completing its exhibition schedule October 31. After Sunday's game with Jackson State, the Cardinals will not return home until December 1.

Louisville, which finished 24-10 last season, returns its top seven scorers from last campaign. Junior forward Terrence Williams averaged 12.4 points and 7.0 rebounds, while senior center David Padgett averaged 9.5 points and 5.6 rebounds. Both were second-team All-Big East selections. The Cardinals were 16-4 at home last season.

Hartford is coming off its first victory of the season, a 70-55 triumph over in-state rival Sacred Heart. Senior guard Brian Glowiak came off the bench to finish with a team-high 14 points, along with freshman forward Morgan Sabia. Junior forward Warren McLendon and sophomore guard Joe Zeglinski each had 12 points for the Hawks.

The two teams are meeting for the first time. Hartford is 1-25 all-time against teams from the Big East. The Hawks' last game against a nationally-ranked opponent was last year's season opener at Georgetown, Hartford's first game under new coach Dan Leibovitz.