Hawaii Series History: The season opening match-up vs. Hawaii in 2000-2001 marks the 26th time in Denny Crum's 30 seasons U of L has begun official play on the road.

Series History

All-Time Record: Louisville 3, Hawaii 0

DATE	U of L	UH	DATE	U of L	UH
Nov. 18, 2000 (a) Summary | Preview	86	71
Dec. 30, 1993 (a)	85	79	Dec. 29, 1972 (a)	95	82

Game Preview: Hawaii	Date: Nov. 18, 2000
Site: Honolulu, HA	Records: U of L: 0-0, Hawaii: 0-0
The Cards open a new season, and there is a lot that is new to the Louisville Cardinals this year. Only two starters return, Marques Maybin and Reece Gaines in the backcourt. They are the ones who will have to carry the scoring and leadership roles for the team. Senior Rashad Brooks could add to what is all accounts a solid backcourt. The frontcourt is of course another issue altogether.
If Muhammed Lasege does really become eligible and can suit up for the Cards, then maybe the team will at least be able to bang around a little bit, because Ellis Myles and Mac Wilkinson, along with Simeon Naydenov and Joseph N'Sima, can at least be aggressive. Without Lasege's presence, U of L could be mince meat under the boards. Inexperience and greeness is a better trait to have than laziness; at playing games experience will come, and a team that tries its hardest under Denny Crum can usually find a way to win a big game or two.
This may very well be a rebuilding year, with promise of better things to come in the future. Of course, new recruits, like Lasege, will eventually need to become eligible and suit up in uniform. If not, the Cards current mini-crisis will only fall back into a further glut.

Game Summary: Hawaii	Score: Louisville 86, Hawaii 71
Leading Scorers: U of L: Marques Maybin (25) Hawaii: Troy Ostler (22)
It was strange to enter a U of L season with really no expectations: going into the Hawaii game, no one knew what to expect. The sting and sadness of Muhhamed Lasege's ineligibility has really affected the U of L players and coaches. In Honolulu, the Cards opened the 2000-2001 campaign with a win, erasing the memories of the terrible opening night loss vs. VCU last year. Fueled by torrid shooting by Marques Maybin, who hit 5-8 from three-point range and led all scorers with 25 points, the Cards were able to open up a surprisingly delightful 13-point halftime lead at 47-34. The Cards had fallen behind 28-21 in what was a back-and-forth first half until U of L went on a 21-2 run over an eight-minute span. Maybin hit an off-balance three at the buzzer to seal the opening period.
Then of course the possibilities of a repeat, as in a repeat of the VCU game. Hawaii, led by Troy Ostler's 22 points and 13 rebounds and Pedrag Savovic's 20 points, cut the lead down to 11 midway through the second period, but the Cards, behind some key defense and free throw shooting from Joseph N'Sima, stood tough. Although U of L did endure an eight-minute stretch without a field goal, U of L hung on for the win. The Cards placed five players in double-figures: Maybin, Ellis Myles (10), Reece Gaines (11), Rashad Brooks (12) and Luke Whitehead (13). The Cards were wallopped on the boards 41-30, a theme that will proabably play out regularly over the season. Still, the Cards did have 18 assists compared to 11 turnovers, and also wound up 9-18 from three-point range.