Wounded Bird: Although Louisville is one of the frontrunners to contend for the national championship, the Cardinals will have to overcome some setbacks in the frontcourt early in the season. Sophomore center David Padgett broke a bone and sprained his ankle during a pickup basketball game and will miss six to eight weeks. He will not be available for Louisville to start the season, but he should be ready by mid-December.
Most importantly, Padgett will be available when the Cardinals enter the grind of the Big East schedule. The Cardinals are entering their first season in the revamped Big East. In addition to Padgett, Louisville’s Juan Palacios is hurting because of a foot injury he suffered playing in a July 13 pickup game. [9/20/05]
