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Sporting News, The, March 18, 2005 by Kyle Veltrop

Francisco Garcia leads Louisville in scoring, assists, steals and free throws made.

Nice stuff, huh?

Then, why, midway through the Conference USA season, did Cardinals coach Rick Pitino tell reporters: "Everybody's asking, 'What's wrong with Francisco Garcia?'"

The answers have ranged from something to nothing. Garcia was held to eight points by Kentucky, and he averaged 9.0 in two meetings with Cincinnati. His shooting mechanics have strayed at times, and he has struggled a bit with shot selection. He also recently had to deal with a deep thigh bruise. The bottom line is people want more from Garcia, which isn't surprising because he's 6-7 and can wear about any role as comfortably as an oversized sweatshirt.

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But those who keep finding flaws in Garcia might be viewing his game from the wrong angle. As Pitino said last month: "I don't think with Francisco that you can measure him statistically ... even though he may have the best stats on the team."

Garcia gives Louisville a presence. Defenses are obsessed with him. He can score from long range, in transition, coming off screens and by slashing to the basket on pick-and-rolls. Though supporters of Deron Williams or Chris Paul would object, East Carolina coach Bill Herrion has called Garcia the best passer in college basketball, and the Louisville offense usually runs through him. Garcia's size affords him excellent court vision. As a freshman, he studied the habits of senior teammate Reece Gaines, who despite being a proficient scorer also kept teammates involved.

"Whenever I get the ball," Garcia says, "I don't put it on the floor right away. First, I look to see what my teammates are doing. I'll look for my shot, but when defenses come at me too quickly, I'll pass it and let my teammates do the rest."

Louisville figures to get a top three NCAA seed, but it still is viewed as something of a curiosity because it didn't survive the opening weekend in the previous two NCAA Tournaments.

Garcia says the Cardinals' collective experience is why this year will be different, but recent history indicates a more important ingredient is individual brilliance, with Maryland's Juan Dixon, Syracuse's Carmelo Anthony and Connecticut's Emeka Okafor serving as Exhibits A, B and C. Now is the time for Garcia to make his teammates better--and to take over games. Is he ready?

"Definitely, definitely," says Garcia. "My teammates need me, and I'm looking forward to leading them."

The question: all the way to St. Louis?

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Sporting News, The, March 18, 2005 by Kyle Veltrop

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