Thanks to Leigh at Card Chronicle for the pic.

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The Cards’ trademark lockdown defense took the legs and heart out of Davidson 69-62.

They held one of the 10 most offensively efficient and high scoring offenses in the country to well under their season averages in scoring and shooting percentages.  In fact, their D wore Davidson out to the point that the top free throwing shooting team in the land could not even make free throws in the first half (5-10) !

Even with their two key players –Gorgui Dieng and Peyton Siva– in foul trouble throughout the game,  U of L established control early and never seemed in trouble.

And when Davidson forced the Cards to win it by making free throws, they converted hitting 75% in the second half on 22 of 29 attempts.

Now, on to a match-up with #5 seed New Mexico St.

Who would have believed 5 games ago?  Who???

Say it loud and say it proud– Louisville reigns as the Big East Champ for the second time in the last four years–and  in the last year of the toughest BBall conference ever assembled.  Louisville 50- Cincinnati 44.

The Cards did it by controlling the game –and in fact spurting to a 16 point margin with 8:31 left in the game.  And then…holding on for dear life as they endured another long offensive drought through the game end.

They did it by hitting 91% on their free throws (11-12) and out-rebounding the Bearcats.  And they did it with a lockdown D through the first half.

I’ve got only one last thing to say before signing off tonight for those many doubters during the regular season:  Fire Rick Pitino?  Really….