INDIANAPOLIS - Kentucky's kids are all grown up. And Rick Pitino is no longer the King of the Sweet 16.
In a rough, sloppy and often agonizing game that turned into a classic at the end, No. 8 seed Kentucky once again made all the plays down the stretch to knock off No. 4 seed Louisville, 74-69, at Lucas Oil Stadium.
In a virtual repeat of its thrilling 78-76 victory against No. 1 seed Wichita State in the Round of 32, Kentucky trailed by as many as 13 points in the first half but kept grinding away until its collection of talented freshmen and big frontcourt players wore down the defending national champions.
BOX SCORE: Wildcats 74, Cardinals 69
After Louisville took a 68-67 lead on Russ Smith's runner in the lane, freshman guard Aaron Harrison responded with a smooth 3-pointer from the corner with 39.1 seconds remaining, putting Kentucky in position to close out the victory.
Louisville's Wayne Blackshear drew a foul with 14 seconds remaining but made just 1-of-2 at the foul line. After Kentucky's Julius Randle made two to give the Wildcats a 72-69 lead, Smith missed a 3-pointer off the dribble with 3 seconds remaining, allowing Kentucky to close out the victory.
NCAA TOURNEY: BracketHub
The Wildcats advance to Sunday's Midwest Regional final against No. 2 seed Michigan. Tipoff is 5:05 p.m. ET.
It will be a particularly bitter loss for the Cardinals, given how thoroughly they controlled stretches of the game.
Kentucky Wildcats center Dakari Johnson came up big with 15 points.(Photo: Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports)
Even after Kentucky had gotten within 34-31 at halftime and appeared ready to mount a charge, Louisville punched back repeatedly and kept the Wildcats at bay. It appeared the Cardinals landed a decisive blow when Luke Hancock, the Most Outstanding Player of last year's Final Four, had delivered the definitive blow when he made 3-pointers with 7:12 and 6:11 remaining to give the Cardinals a 62-55 lead. Instead, Kentucky kept feeding big men Julius Randle, who finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Dakari Johnson, who also scored 15.
Louisville had a 44-34 edge in the paint, but Kentucky's key baskets inside fueled their final run. Kentucky finally tied it with 2:13 remaining when Alex Poythress stuck back an offensive rebound, drew a foul and hit the free throw to make it 66-66.
Louisville made just 4-of-15 from 3-point range, missing 10 in a row during one stretch, and 13-of-23 from the foul line.
NCAA TOURNAMENT SWEET 16 HIGHLIGHTS
Kentucky shot 56 percent in the second half.
It was Pitino's first Sweet 16 loss in 12 appearances.
Posted by Unknown on Friday, March 28, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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