By Chad Rhym – Sports Editor
On April 3, five days prior to tip-off, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s president John Doleva called the University of Louisville’s head coach Rick Pitino, alongside seven other inductees. At the same time Pitino received a text message from his son, Richard Pitino. Richard was informing his father about his new position as the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers men’s basketball team.
Pitino’s two honors were only a prelude to another accomplishment that would arrive five days later.
On April 8, the Louisville Cardinals faced off against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2013 NCAA Men’s Division 1 Basketball Championship Game. This year’s championship game was held at the Georgia Dome, in Atlanta, Ga.
Regulation started with Louisville winning the jump ball, however, both teams intensively jumped out of the gate. Louisville and Michigan were firing shots away, and for once, the national title game was what fans actually expected, and not a complete let down. Viewers across the world could sense just from the first minutes, this would be a game for the ages.
Although both teams played aggressively, foul trouble would soon come knocking at the couple’s door. Both team’s stars, Michigan sophomore guard Trey Burke, and Louisville junior guard Russ Smith would half to sit the majority of the first half, because both players had received two fouls.
However, with the stars on the bench, the emergence of two new heroes resulted. The first half in years to come will be remembered as the sixth man shootout.
Michigan freshman guard Spike Albrecht poured in 17 points and shot 80 percent from the three point line. On the opposing side, Louisville junior forward Luke Hancock dropped in 22 points also off the bench. The exciting first half ended with the Cardinals leading 38-37. The half left viewers on the edge of their seats, urging for more phenomenal basketball.
The second half also started quickly from the get go. But opposed to Albrecht and Hancock highlighting the show, the game turned the tables and focused more on the anticipated stars: Naismith Player of the Year Burke, who contributed with 24 points in the outing, and Louisville senior guard Peyton Siva who added in 18 points.
The two dynamic guards clashed the whole second half. However, Hancock and Siva’s motivation from fallen teammate Kevin Ware seemed to be too much to handle for the Wolverines. The University of Louisville pulled out the victory with a final score of 82-76.
What a week for Pitino, and the Louisville Cardinals.
