 Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals made history in the Georgia Dome by defeating the Michigan Wolverines 82-76 to become national champions! Injured Cardinal Kevin Ware celebrated with his team mates by helping cut them down the nets following Louisville's victory. The Louisville Cardinals survived a scare against the talented Michigan Wolverines to go to cut down the nights in the Georgia Dome Monday evening. The day could not have been any better for Louisville head coach Rick Pitino. Earlier in the afternoon Pitino was one of twelve people to be elected to the 2013 basketball hall of fame. Pitino won the national championship with Kentucky in 1996, and with his win on Monday evening Rick Pitino became the first coach to win national championships with two different schools. Pitino also took Providence College the final four in 1985. His horse also qualified for the Kentucky derby on Monday and Pitino's son got a head coaching job at Minnesota. I must say the greatest day one Pitino's may just have been Monday April 8th, 2013.
The Championship did not come easy for the Cardinals against a very talented Michigan team. Louisville found themselves down by twelve in the first half of play before Luke Hancock starting draining three point shots like he was Reggie Miller hitting four straight shots from down town. With the help of Hancock's masterful three point shooting, Louisville had erased its deficit to 38-37 at halftime. Louisville would go on to defeat the Michigan Wolverines 82-76 behind Luke Hancock's 22 point effort. Trey Burke led all scorers with 24 points in the defeat. Guard Russ Smith dominated for the Cardinals during the entire tournament and declared for the NBA draft after Louisville's victory. It should be interesting to see where this flashy guard ends up getting drafted in June. -Joe Passarelli |
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