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Smith Honored as American Player of the Week.

Cardinals' senior guard averaged 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds in two AAC victories

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - University of Louisville senior guard Russ Smith has been named the American Athletic Conference men's basketball player of the Week.

Smith averaged a combined 20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, three assists and made 5-of-7 three-point goals in a pair of victories last week. He had 18 points, four assists and three steals in just 24 minutes in Louisville's 91-52 victory over Houston in the KFC Yum! Center on Jan. 16. Smith scored 23 points, sinking 12-of-15 free throws, and grabbed four rebounds as the Cardinals won 76-64 at Connecticut with an ESPN College GameDay audience.

In league games, Smith leads The American in scoring (21.5), steals (2.7) and three-point field goal percentage (.607). Smith has been recognized on the league weekly honor roll for the past five consecutive weeks on on eight occasions this season.

Smith has helped Louisville (16-3, 5-1 AAC) match its second-best start through 19 games in Coach Rick Pitino's 13 years guiding the Cardinals. Louisville will face USF in Tampa, Fla. on Wednesday in its next outing (Jan. 22, 7 p.m., ESPNU).