Louisville Prevails Over 'Nova in Epic Fail-Off

Winning ugly is one thing, but even Calvin Booth would have been horrified watching Louisville edge Villanova 61-60 today. The teams combined to score 10 points in the final 5-1/2 minutes, and great defense was hardly a reason. The Cards had a few good stops, but for the most part 'Nova choked itself on missed free throws and the refusal to finish at the rim. The Wildcats went 4-of-8 from the line in the final six minutes and missed four straight lay-ups/tips with the teams within a point of each other.

Louisville missed often, too, but found offensive rebound after offensive rebound fall into their hands. Edgar Sosa fired off a 3/4-court pass to coach Rick Pitino (who did not suit up) on a crucial late possession. The Cardinals lead by one with nine seconds left, as the 'Cats inbounded from the far baseline. Pitino called for a press, and 'Nova beat it easily, with Antonio Pena drawing a foul at the end of the 2-on-1 break for the 'Cats. Then came two of those missed FTs. Louisville (which lost Samardo Samuels to fouls with five minutes left) knocked the carom out-of-bounds. 'Nova had a chance with four seconds left, but Dante Cunningham bricked a bunny and Reggie Redding couldn't get either tip attempt to fall in.

Again, there was some good in the game: Louisville executed its plan to keep Scottie Reynolds quiet well, 'Nova played itself back into a game it could have resigned in the first half. But something tells me neither squad is getting much of a confidence boost out of this mess.

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