By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
LOUISVILLE SLUGGERS
Cardinals come alive in second half, beat Michigan 82-76 for national championship
spt ap NCAA Burke and Smith
Michigan guard Trey Burke (3) reaches to block a shot by Louisville guard Russ Smith. - photo by The Associated Press
ATLANTA — Louisville head coach Rick Pitino capped the greatest week of his life with the prize he wanted most of all.Luke Hancock produced another huge game off the bench, scoring 22 points, and Pitino became the first coach to win national titles at two schools when relentless Louisville rallied from another 12-point deficit to beat Michigan 82-76 in the NCAA championship game Monday night.This title came on the same day Pitino was announced as a member of the latest Hall of Fame class, a couple of days after his horse won a big race on the way to the Kentucky Derby, and a few more days after his son got the head coaching job at Minnesota.This was the best feeling of all. The Cardinals (35-5) lived up to their billing as the top overall seed in the tournament, though they sure had to work for it.Louisville trailed Wichita State by a dozen in the second half before rallying for a 72-68 victory. This time, they fell behind by 12 in the first half, though a stunning spurt at the end of the period wiped out the entire deficit.“I had the 13 toughest guys I’ve ever coached,” said Pitino, who plans to follow through on a promise he made to his players if they won the title — by getting a tattoo.No one was tougher than Hancock, was matched his season high and named the most outstanding player.