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According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, Louisville freshman center Derrick Caracter will undergo surgery Monday to repair torn cartilage in his left knee after suffering the injury in a pickup basketball game this week. "He has a very small tear of the meniscus," coach Rick Pitino said. "He'll probably be out 4-6 weeks. It's a very minor surgery, but it has to be fixed." Pitino also said that Caracter would have to watch his weight when he is not playing. "He's going to go on an all-vegetable diet," Pitino said. "He has to be on a very strict diet, because if he doesn't play, (his weight) can be a problem." Caracter averaged 8.1 points and 3.9 rebounds per game last season, and also had multiple suspensions due to various off-court problems.

Samardo Samuels, the nation’s top center and one of the top ten recruits in the Class of 2008, has announced that he will headed to Louisville. "It just seemed like the perfect opportunity," Samuels said. "I talked with Coach (Rick Pitino) about what I needed to do and what he is going to do for me. (Pitino) was excited, and I'll make it work. I really liked it there." The 6-9 forward made a visit to Louisville over the weekend, reportedly vaulting the Cardinals past North Carolina and Connecticut on his list. "To tell you the truth, I thought it was just another trip," Samuels said of his expectations. "But when I went down there and started seeing things and picturing things happening and what can I do at this place, it was perfect." Playing time and head coach Rick Pitino were key factors in his decision. "I am going to get better as a player under Coach," he said. "He knows what it takes to help me get to the next level.” Samuels is ranked as the No. 6 player in the country by both Scout.com and Rivals.com.