A game not unlike some of the five losses the University of Louisville basketball team has incurred this season, a rugged Wichita State team clogging up the middle, making life especially difficult for Peyton Siva and Russ Smith.
Miraculous performances from two unlikely sources and in the least expected ways, providing hope, inspiration, staving off what was beginning to look inevitable.
Tim Henderson, a walk on, providing the inspiration, stopping the runaway, making a comeback possible. Wide open in the corner, take the shots or get benched. Who was that? Tim Henderson, doing his Kyle Kuric imitation from the corner, ruffling the nets with two consecutive three-pointers.
Future Naismith Hall of Famer Rick Pitino yelling in his ear, “Knock it down, Tim. Knock it down, Tim.” Always the encourager that Pitino.
No room for error, those shots had to go in, or UofL might have been back in Louisville Monday night. Slashing a 12-point deficit to a mere six points, 47-41 with 12:22 to go.
Stepping up next will be Chane Behanan, emerging from wherever he has been during the tournament, he with with 52% free throw percentage, hitting four straight free throws, later finding his jump shot again, and Louisville is within two at 55-53.
The Tim and Chane show then gives way to an absolutely awe-inspiring performance.
What it was was what Rick Pitino has been anticipating from Luke Hancock since he transferred from George Mason University two years ago.
The stubble-faced junior, looking bigger, stronger and more savvy every game, would find himself open after one of those rare Wichita State turnovers, stop and pop at the three-point, putting UofL ahead, 56-55, reclaiming the lead after trailing for 17 minutes.
Taking lessons perhaps from Smith and Siva, Hancock goes to work in the middle, with those impossible layups that are integral to UofL’s offense while burying them from deep as well, collecting 13 of his 20 points in the final five minutes. Deceptively quick, deadly accurate with the game on the line every trip down court.
- Russ Smith, though he would accumulate a team-leading 21 points, getting what even he would admit was an off-game out of his system. Even he a bit intimidated by the drama, the crowd of 74,000 people at the Georgia Dome, an uncertain look in his eyes, missing his first four free throws, hitting only five of 12 for the game, and committing five turnovers. Should be out of his system by Monday night.
- Peyton Siva, with another game-against-Syracuse-like performance, managing only one of nine shooting while making only three assists and committing two turnovers. Wichita State shutting down the lanes, closing the gate on him. Syracuse is out, Peyton, do well.
- Gorgui Dieng, with the same look he had during last year’s semifinal game, bothered by all the hoopla and Wichita bulk, unable to breathe or move without getting jostled on offense or having a whistle blown on him on defense. Should be getting used to the big stage by now. He’s always working on his weaknesses and will figure it out the next couple of days.
- Chane Behanan taking up the rebounding slack for Gorgui (who had seven), using his muscle and bulk underneath, corralling a game-leading nine retrievals, showing why Pitino keeps him in there with his continuing offensive challenges. Did we mention that he had four-of-four free throws?
- Montrezl Harrell again providing some offensive punch in Behanan’s absence, hitting all four of his field goal attempts. He also had four rebounds in his 11 minutes of playing time, always ready to go, always providing extended bursts of energy and enthusiasm.
- Wayne Blackshear may be saving his best for another day. Let’s hope so anyway.
- Kevin Ware was still very much involved, of course, seemingly praying at times, shielding his eyes at others, wanting to get out on the court, standing at the end, getting in some unexpected physical therapy, savoring the moment.
UofL is back, back in the NCAA Championship game, having survived a serious struggle, maybe gotten a bad one out of its system. Nobody said it would be easy. Get some rest, have some fun, and resume breathing.
Twenty-seven years is a long wait. Two more nights could be an eternity.
Louisville played great pressure defense at the end and couldn’t miss. If that wasn’t enough, Wichita State was on the losing end of every single call.The Shockers got fouled constantly but none were called in the last minutes. The Shockers lost to a number of nit picking and just plain wrong calls. I take nothing away from Louisville but the officiating at the end was so bad(and all game) that it almost seemed like a fix. If the game were played in Louisville i would believe it.
Thanks Rick. UofL obviously means a lot to our families and us as individuals. It is great to see them contending for another title after so many years. Rick Pitino is more committed now than ever. What a great time this is.
Another insightful and well written piece Charlie. Thanks for all you’ve done to help us share the joy of this season.
Now, hopefully, two consecutive nights of rooting as hard as one can from an armchair remotely located from the actual event, and then, one more night of giving absent support, followed by months and years of savoring the results. Keep it going Cards. Keep it going Lady Cards.
Denny used to talk about “pressure” at times cauding poor performance by his players. I’ve never seen a worse case of than what Russ had at the beginning of tonight’s game…missing his first four free throws!?!
Not a pretty game, but it gets us into the championship! I predict Russ, Siva and Gorgui will all be on from the start on Monday.
Atlanta is shining! Great job local hosts!
They were due to be off a bit with all the pressure on them. Hopefully they got it out of their system.