Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Louisville Derails Tennessee Train

Cardinals on brink of sending Pitino to a sixth Final Four

By Mitch Pritchard,  Newser User

Posted Mar 28, 2008 1:16 AM CDT

(Newser) – Rick Pitino improved to 8-0 in regional semifinals and has Louisville one win away from the Final Four after a 79-60 win over Tennessee last night, reports the Associated Press. Pitino mixed up his defenses throughout the game to shut down the high-powered offense of the No. 2-seeded Volunteers. The Cardinals jumped out to a 24-8 lead early, then held off repeated Tennessee comeback attempts late.

The Volunteers (31-5) cut the lead to 37-36 in the second half, but Earl Clark sparked a clinching 13-5 run with nine points for the Cardinals (27-8). Clark led Louisville with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Pitino has won two NCAA titles as a head coach and gone to the Final Four five times, including four years ago with the Cardinals.

Louisville's Earl Clark (5) and Terrence Williams, right, react during the second half of an NCAA East Regional basketball semifinal against Tennessee, Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Charlotte, N.C.
Louisville's Earl Clark (5) and Terrence Williams, right, react during the second half of an NCAA East Regional basketball semifinal against Tennessee, Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Charlotte, N.C.   (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Louisville's David Padgett, top, shoots over Tennessee's Duke Crews during the second half of an NCAA East Regional basketball semifinal.  Louisville won 79-60.
Louisville's David Padgett, top, shoots over Tennessee's Duke Crews during the second half of an NCAA East Regional basketball semifinal. Louisville won 79-60.   (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Tennessee's Brian Williams looks on during the second half of an NCAA East Regional basketball semifinal against Louisville, Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Charlotte, N.C. Louisville won 79-60.
Tennessee's Brian Williams looks on during the second half of an NCAA East Regional basketball semifinal against Louisville, Thursday, March 27, 2008, in Charlotte, N.C. Louisville won 79-60.   (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Tennessee's Tyler Smith, left, looks to grab a loose ball in front of Louisville's David Padgett, right, during the second half of an NCAA East Regional basketball semifinal last night.
Tennessee's Tyler Smith, left, looks to grab a loose ball in front of Louisville's David Padgett, right, during the second half of an NCAA East Regional basketball semifinal last night.   (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Louisville's Earl Clark, right, dunks the ball in front of Tennessee's Tyler Smith, top, Chris Lofton, left, and Wayne Chism, bottom, last night.  Louisville won 79-60.
Louisville's Earl Clark, right, dunks the ball in front of Tennessee's Tyler Smith, top, Chris Lofton, left, and Wayne Chism, bottom, last night. Louisville won 79-60.   (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Don't Buy Big East Hoop Hype

Rose, Memphis Headed to San Antonio

Terps Advance Through Vandy to Round of 8

UNC Punches San Antonio Ticket

UCLA Rumbles Into Final Four


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne