UNLV-Louisville still on, for now

Steve Addy

Thursday, March 22, 2001 | 10:16 a.m.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- If Louisville coach Rick Pitino doesn't want to play the Rebels the next two years, it's going to cost the Cardinals.

Long before Pitino accepted the Louisville job Wednesday, 17 days after turning down UNLV's offer, the schools had agreed to a home-and-home series, to begin next season at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Though UNLV has gotten no indication Louisville wants out of the deal, if Pitino decides he would rather not play the Rebels, Louisville would have to pay a $50,000 buyout fee, UNLV senior associate AD Jerry Koloskie said.

"We have a signed contract, and we're assuming we're going to play the game," he said. "It's always possible (Louisville) will want out of the game for one reason or another, but they would have to pay us to let them out.

"I wouldn't want to speculate on whether they'll want out."

Even before Pitino and UNLV began two months of negotiations in January, Louisville was viewed as one of the best draws on UNLV's 2001-02 home schedule, which also includes Texas, Wisconsin, Mississippi State, Old Dominion and Nevada-Reno.

But now that Pitino has taken the Cardinals' job, local interest will surely be high for next season's game at the Mack. UNLV is also scheduled at Louisville in 2002-03.

"Losing Louisville would really hurt our home schedule," Koloskie said. "It's a good matchup. We've played them in the past and had good games. It's an attractive matchup for both teams."

UNLV played Louisville in the Maui Invitational this season and suffered an 86-85 overtime loss.

The Rebels have already had to scramble to fill next season's schedule, because they were banned from the Preseason NIT as part of the recent NCAA sanctions. The non-conference road schedule now includes Washington, Cincinnati, Loyola Marymount and Alabama-Birmingham.

Koloskie is seeking three more home games, but they won't be scheduled until a coaching staff is finalized.

"The staff should have input on the schedule," he said.