Cards don’t fold to Cajuns

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Rick Pitino warned his team.

Louisville’s coach didn’t expect an easy game against Louisiana-Lafayette in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, and the Ragin’ Cajuns proved just as troublesome as Pitino suspected – maybe even more.

“Even at halftime, we said look guys, you think you’re going to blow this team out, you’re mistaken. It’s coming down to last 2 minutes,” Pitino said after his fourth-seeded Cardinals advanced in the Albuquerque Regional with a 68-62 victory Friday night.

“We’re very proud of this victory. When you’re a four seed, and you play these teams today, you’re going to play a terrific basketball team. We knew we weren’t getting a breather.”

Francisco Garcia went 7 for 7 from the foul line in the final 1:57, finishing with 27 points to help Louisville (30-4) reach the second round for the second time in three years under Pitino, who is 28-9 in the NCAA Tournament.

Pitino insisted all along that Louisiana-Lafayette was not a typical No. 13 seed, going as far as to say the Ragin’ Cajuns were the most difficult first-round opponent he’s faced in 10 Tournament appearances with Boston University, Providence, Kentucky, and now Louisville.

Turns out, he wasn’t just paying lip service.

There were eight lead changes in the second half before Louisville finally went ahead for good, 56-55, on two free throws by Larry O’Bannon with 3:43 to go. The Cardinals were held to one field goal the rest of the way – Otis George’s tip-in – but made eight more free throws to pull away.

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By Fred Goodall
Associated Press

[RaginEsquire06]

My heart goes out to the Cajuns....Great ending to a year which faced so many odds! Will be great to see the Auzzie back as well as Dwayne "thunder dunk" Mitchell!

[Snuffy]

If Robert Lee isn't Coach of The Year I will be disappointed

[Clutch0364]

The coach from Denver got Coach of the Year in the sunbelt.

Also about Dwayne and Cameron coming back...it would be great if they would becuase our lineup could be very potent with them back. Along with Tiras and the recruits we have coming in and Spencer ford playing like he did in the Louisville game...also you take Derek Gray's potential and that line up could be more dangerous than this because of the amount of depth.