(1) Louisville vs. (12) Arizona - Cinderella's Last Dance?
by Ian James
The worst seed remaining in the tournament faces the top overall seed on the Louisville in the Midwest Region.
The Cardinals may be the top seed in this year’s tournament, but they haven’t played like it at times so far. In the opening round Louisville was a 21.5-point favorite versus Morehead State, but was unable to cover the spread in a 74-54 win. And that game was a lot closer than the final score makes it out to be, as the Cardinals led by only two points at halftime. The Cardinals took control in the second half, as Samardo Samuels led Louisville with 15 points and seven rebounds, while Terrence Williams added 13 points and nine rebounds.
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After surviving versus Morehead State the Cardinals nearly gave it away against college basketball odds held a 63-59 lead with seven minutes to play in the second half. With Louisville fading, Terrence Williams picked them up and led them to a 79-72 victory. Williams finished the game with 24 points and 15 rebounds, and Samuels delivered 13 points and eight boards.
The Wildcats were one of the last teams to receive an at-large bid in the tournament on Selection Sunday, but have proven they belong by reaching the Sweet 16. Arizona opened the tournament by upsetting No. 5 seed Utah 84-71 as a 1.5-point underdog. Nic Wise buried a game-high 29 points for Arizona, 21 of which came in the second half. Chase Budinger was a standout in the win with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, and Jordan Hill added 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Arizona faced another upset team in the second round, No. 13 seed Cleveland State. The Wildcats had little trouble with the Vikings in a 71-57 win as a 2.5-point favorite. Wise led the Wildcats again with 21 points and eight assists, while Hill had 16 points and nine rebounds.
The Wildcats and Cardinals last met up in 2006 when Arizona won 72-65 as a 3.5-point road favorite. The Cardinals are the favorite in Friday’s game as they’re pegged as 9-point chalk.
