Pitt-Louisville Post-Game Notes

March 9, 2006

PITT VS. LOUISVILLE POST GAME NOTES

*Pitt improved to 22-6 overall on the year.

*The victory sets up a quarterfinal matchup against No. 3 seed West Virginia. Pitt and West Virginia meet in the Big East Championship for the first time in history. The two schools split the two regular season games this year.

*Pitt improves to 5-7 all-time in Big East Championship First Round games. Pitt also improved to 17-22 all-time in the Big East Championship. The Panthers enter the game 7-0 all-time in BEC quarterfinal meetings.

*Pitt defeated Louisville for the second time this year. Pitt defeated Louisville 61-57 on Jan. 15. The Panthers are now 2-1 all-time vs. the Cardinals.

*With 14 points and 13 rebounds, Aaron Gray notched his 15^th double-double of the year. Gray now ranks tied for sixth among the school's all-time season double-doubles leaders. The school record is 26 double-doubles in a season by Jerome Lane in 1986-87. Named the 2005-06 Big East Most Improved Player, Gray also registered his 23^rd double figure scoring game and 17^th double figure rebounding game on the year.

*With his seven rebounds, Carl Krauser became the first player in school history to surpass the 1,500-point, 500-rebound and 500-assist milestones. Prior to the game, Krauser needed just four rebounds to go surpass the 500 career rebound mark. For his career, Krauser now has 1,579 points, 537 assists and 503 rebounds. Krauser also won his 101^st career game.

*Krauser's 19 points were his largest scoring output in 10 games and since Jan. 23 when he scored 32 vs. Syracuse.

*Sophomore Keith Benjamin made his first career start. He played 18 minutes and grabbed five rebounds.

*Junior Levon Kendall blocked a career-high four shots. His previous career-high was three several times.

*Pitt outrebounded Louisville 43-30. Pitt has now outrebounded its opponents in 21 of 28 games on the year.

*Pitt improved to 3-0 in games played at 9 p.m. The Panthers defeated DePaul on Jan. 12 (73-65) and West Virginia (57-53) on Feb. 9.

*Pitt improved to 13-6 at Madison Square Garden since the 2001-02 season. Prior to this evening, Pitt had lost four of its last five games at the Garden.

*Pitt led by its second largest halftime margin of the year, 23 points (39-16). It led 39-15 vs. Auburn en route to a 78-41 win on Dec. 4.

*Pitt held Louisville to 16 first half points. The 16 points were the second fewest scored against Pitt in a half this year. Auburn scored just 15 points vs. the Panthers on Dec. 4.

*Pitt's 23 point halftime lead was its largest in Big East Championship game history. Previously, Pitt's largest halftime lead was a 12-point margin vs. Boston College (29-17) on March 14, 2003.

*Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon won his 73^rd career game. He now ranks tied for seventh among NCAA Division I coaches after three years as a head coach.

*Pitt head coach Jamie Dixon's sister Maggie Dixon led her Army squad to the Patriot League Championship and automatic NCAA Tournament berth yesterday with a 69-68 victory over Holy Cross. Following the win a wild victory celebration ensued as cadets stormed the floor and carried Dixon around the court. The scene ranked as ESPN's No. 8 Play of the Day. Army is now 20-10 on the year. The Dixons will become the first sibling duo to coach in NCAA Tournaments at the same time.

University of Pittsburgh Athletics

Players Mentioned

Keith Benjamin

Aaron Gray

Levon Kendall

Carl Krauser

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