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Louisville looks to stay hot against Syracuse

Feb 18, 2008 - 6:33 PM Syracuse (17-9) at No. 23 Louisville (20-6) 7:00 pm EST

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (Ticker) -- Few could argue that top to bottom, the Big East is not the most competitive conference in the country.

No. 23 Louisville, the latest Big East team to crack the top 25, seeks its sixth straight victory on Monday when its hosts Syracuse.

One of five Big East teams in the top 25, the Cardinals have climbed into a first-place tie in the conference with Georgetown. There are four teams battling for the Big East regular-season title as Connecticut and Notre Dame are just one-half game behind the co-leaders.

Louisville (20-6, 10-3) is coming off Saturday's 80-72 victory at Providence, a team Cardinals coach Rick Pitino guided to the Final Four in 1987.

Earl Clark recorded 20 points and nine rebounds for Louisville, which held off the Friars for their 11th win in 13 games. Terrence Williams added 12 points for the Cardinals and Jerry Smith and David Padgett contributed 11 apiece.

Syracuse (17-9, 7-6) heads to Louisville on a high, having upset Georgetown, 77-70, on Saturday. Rebounding from a disappointing loss at South Florida, the Orange build a 21-point lead in the first half before surviving a Hoyas' comeback attempt in the second half.

Paul Harris scored 22 points and freshman Donte Greene chipped in with 18 for Syracuse, which posted its first win over a ranked opponent this season.

The victory could boost the postseason hopes of the Orange, who are in the middle of the pack in the Big East and might be on the bubble for an NCAA Tournament at-large berth.

Louisville leads the all-time series 7-4, including a 76-71 victory in the last meeting here in 2007.