Everything was clicking – the Wichita State Shockers had managed to create a double digit lead against the Louisville Cardinals.  All night they were taking good care of the ball and dominating the offensive boards.   And then, like true champions, the Louisville Cardinals defense went to another level – one that forced several turnovers.  And all of a sudden, Louisville had come all the way back.

Then, Luke Hancock hits a three-pointer and a tough drive to the basket – and the Cardinals had taken control.  The Shockers fought valiantly, and the Cardinals kept them in it missing a couple of FTs.  And then, with eight seconds left in the game, Hancock missed the second FT – looking like the Shockers were going to get one last desperation three pointer to tie the game.  But WSU couldn’t control the ball, Hancock reached in, and sadly, the referees called a jump ball (not even sure Hancock’s hand was on the ball for more than a split second – so how that was the call, I will never know).

And so, we were all robbed of getting to see if Cinderella could make the last second prayer.  Louisville got the ball back since they had the possession arrow, Russ Smith hits a FT – and with only 4 seconds left, the Cardinals just need to let the clock run-off.

And so, the clock struck midnight on our final Cinderella candidate.  We are left with schools from the Big East and the Big 10 to decide the championship.  But what a wonderful tournament for Wichita State – they deserve so much credit.  No one believed that the Shockers could even get here – and then they were supposed to lose by double digits to the Big East champion.  They were a fantastic story.

But credit belongs also to the Louisville Cardinals.  When the Shockers built that double digit lead, they could have crumbled.  But they fought back, they forced turnovers, played tremendous defense, and made an incredible comeback to earn a spot in the NCAA Championship game on Monday.  Survive and advance!!!!  Up to this point, Louisville had never had to show that quality – they have now.  Congratulations to the Big East champions, Louisville Cardinals!!!!

Now they wait and see if they will have to go against Syracuse and their suffocating zone for a fourth time (strangely, Louisville won at Syracuse and Madison Square Garden in the Big East final – while Syracuse won the game at Louisville), or if they will go against college basketball’s player of the year, Trey Burke and the Michigan Wolverines (also interestingly, Louisville has not had to play a single Big 10 school all season).

Here’s hoping Syracuse and Michigan put on as much of a show as the Shockers and Cardinals did.