Decades from now University of Louisville fans will remember Freedom Hall, and talk about what a good place it was to watch basketball, about many of the memorable wins, the great Louisville players, the coaches, the NCAA Final Fours, a great slice of college basketball history.

They will remember that Louisville won that game, defeating Syracuse a second time that season.

Talk about all the former players on hand, Darrell Griffith, Wiley Brown, Rodney and Scooter McCray, Pervis Ellison, Billy Thompson, Roger Burkman …

About all the media hype leading up to that final game.

About Rick Pitino turning the microphone over to Denny Crum for the official goodbye to the old Cardinal home court.

What they will remember most, however, is the performance of Kyle Kuric during the second half because he went unnoticed during two minutes of action in the first half. He would re-enter the game with 16:11 to go.

The closing curtain for Freedom Hall, Louisville desperately needing a win, an NCAA tournament bid on the line, it was ne of those games that demands that someone step forward.

Kuric’s offensive display would not begin until the 14:25 mark, shocking onlookers with another one of those amazing dunks, following that up by hitting eight out of his next 10 shots, including four three-point shots and three other slams.

All 22 of his point total in 19 minutes of playing time. Even more impressively, all of his baskets coming with less than 14:25 to go in the game.

Kyle Kuric stepping out the shadows, grabbing the spotlight, assuming the leadership his team desperately needed,  becoming a Freedom Hall legend in the process.

And here’s a Kyle Kuric dunk video:

Louisville-Syracuse Box Score

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

6 thoughts on “Kuric Leaves His Stamp On Freedom Hall”
  1. The Hall was crazy in the second half and so was Kuric. This will go down as one of the best five games ever in the old place and one we’ll be talking about for years in the new place.

  2. i say we nickname kyle superman, to show him we will never forget what he did that night, no matter how he goes on to play in his 2 years what that kid did tonight for the louisville program and freedom hall is important. he does have that superman lood going on.

  3. It has been many years since we’ve seen a performance like that one. Good luck, Kyle, you have earned your dues. Now become the player you’ve always wanted to become. Great game, man.

  4. Just an incredible performance by Kyle Kuric, may be just what he needed to go and become a fantastic player. Great, great game.

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