Caracter could return against Marshall

Derrick Caracter could return to the Louisville (5-3) lineup Tuesday night when the Cardinals host Marshall.

Caracter was suspended for curfew violations and did not play in Saturday’s loss to Purdue in the John Wooden Tradition in Indianapolis. Having dropped two straight games, Louisville coach Rick Pitino is hopeful to have the 6’9, 270 pound Caracter back in the lineup tomorrow.

“I’m hoping that Derrick can play tomorrow,” Pitino said Monday. “We won’t start him. We’ll probably start Terrance Farley. He’s doing everything in line with playing tomorrow but he’s got to make his weight. I do believe he’ll make it. And I do believe he’ll play tomorrow but it’s 50/50. He’s going to make it through this year. That’s my commitment to him.”

Caracter got in hot-water with Pitino earlier this month after breaking his curfew twice in the same night. It’s that sort of behavior that has his veteran coach perplexed.

“I’ve got to give him a chance to succeed,” Pitino said. “He’s the type of guy that goes to rob a bank at his size without a mask and with two machine guns – not loaded - totally in sight. That’s Derrick Caracter.”

“He’s not naïve but I can’t explain Derrick Caracter,” Pitino added. “I love him to death and I care for him a great deal and I want him to succeed. We all have choices. He just makes bad choices all the time. We’re trying to get him to make good choices because he’s a good person. And good people should make good choices. That’s the conflict in his life.”

Pitino hopes Caracter has learned a valuable lesson after serving his latest suspension. To atone for his mistake, Pitino wants Caracter to go out and help the team win some important games.

“If he didn’t see us have no low-post game, lose on national television and be knocked out of the Top 25 because he wasn’t there he’s the most selfish human being on earth,” Pitino said. “And he’s not that. What he did to us could have tremendous consequences down the road.”