ESPN

David Padgett

  (12:57 PM)

Thanks for sending in your questions, everyone!

Bryan Wilson (Louisville, KY0

How do you think the Cards measure up to the top teams in the country like the UNC's, Duke's, and G-Town's?

David Padgett

  (12:57 PM)

If we're playing as well as we're capable, I think we can play with anyone in the country. There are a lot of teams on the same level, so it's really wide open.

Nathan (Georgetown, KY)

Any predictions for the big game Saturday?

David Padgett

  (12:58 PM)

It's going to be a good one. Mainly a defensive game. Both teams are prepared and both know what is at stake.

Ron, Louisville, KY

With the team finally healthy do you feel the Cardinals are poised to make a deep NCAA tournament run? Go Cards!!!

David Padgett

  (12:59 PM)

To be honest, our focus right now is taking it one game at a time. Every team wants to do as well as they can in the tournament, but our focus right now is to make it at first. We'll take it from there.

Justin, Lexington KY

Do you still have lingering pain in your knee?

David Padgett

  (12:59 PM)

No, not at all. My knees feel great and I'm probably past that hurdle. Hopefully I can stay that way.

Brad (Gadsden,Alabama)

Where is the toughest place to play?

David Padgett

  (1:00 PM)

Probably Rupp Arena in Lexington. Obviously it's tough for anybody to play in there, but it's tougher for us because it's a big rivalry game.

Greg (Louisville)

David, do you guys come out with a game plan to attack the big men and hope to get them in foul trouble, or is that just a happenstance of going inside? I know you have eliminated many a big man by directly attacking them.

David Padgett

  (1:01 PM)

Sometimes it's in the game plan, sometimes it's not. It just depends on the team we're playing. Our game plan doesn't focus on one player, we just do what we have to do to beat the other team.

Rich (Kansas City, MO)

What's Pitino like? Is he really always that intense?

David Padgett

  (1:01 PM)

On the court he's very intense, but off it, he's a great guy and all the guys really like being around him.

Jason (Ohio)

What made you pick Louisville?

David Padgett

  (1:02 PM)

Coach Pitino. He recruited me out of high school, and when I left Kansas, he recruited me again. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to play for him twice.

Keef (Fern Crick, KY)

David -- you've undoubtedly been scouting Georgetown in recent days (amidst the lag time from Mon's victory at Marquette) -- what's the one big thing that coach has you guys focusing on in prep for Sat's matchup?

David Padgett

  (1:03 PM)

I'd say their offense. They run a Princeton-style, with a lot of backdoors, good spacing and movement. We're working on stopping that.

Mike (Salisbury, MD

David...have always enjoyed watching you in a cards uni. Is there any chance we see you and DC on the floor together against Georgetown?

David Padgett

  (1:04 PM)

You never know. Sometimes we play the five and four spot in practice, but our lineups change a lot. It's hard to say yes, but it's always a possibility.

tim (louisville, KY)

what has been the greatest win you've experienced at the 'Ville?

David Padgett

  (1:05 PM)

I would probably say beating Pittsburgh and Marquette last year, and Kentucky this year.

David Hardinsburg

Whats your plans after college?

David Padgett

  (1:05 PM)

Hopefully I get a chance to play professionally. I always have a degree to fall back on if not.

Giovanny (New York, NY)

David- I've always wondered, Whats your pregame routine?

David Padgett

  (1:06 PM)

I don't have anything too out of the ordinary. I get to the gym two and a half hours before the game and get warmed up. Nothing that any other player doesn't really do.

Jonathan Louisville

What does Pitino give to the players that other coaches dont? They say he is the best motivator and best recruiter, would you agree??

David Padgett

  (1:07 PM)

I definitely would. He's the best I've ever been around. He gets you to do things that you'd never think you could do. He's a very sincere person, and you can trust what he says.

Melissa (San Diego, CA)

Who is the toughest player you have ever faced?

David Padgett

  (1:08 PM)

I would probably say Jeff Green from Georgetown. He's an amazing player. There have been so many. Aaron Gray from Pittsburgh is another one.

Brian (Prospect)

Why have you guys played so well the past two games?

David Padgett

  (1:09 PM)

I think being healthy is the number one reason. We've been healthy enough for a month, and that makes such a difference when coming to games. Just having every guy on the floor and able to play is great.

Jerb (Clarksville, IN)

You play such a big role in the terms of leadership on this years team. Who do you see stepping up to fill the void after you graduate?

David Padgett

  (1:10 PM)

I think Andre McGee, our junior PG, will fill lthat role. He is vocal and is stepping up already. I think he'll be the first pick for captain next year.

David Padgett

  (1:11 PM)

Thank you to everyone for sending in the questions and showing us support all year!