ORLANDO, FL – Rick Pitino and his defending champion Cardinals held off a tough Manhattan squad to win 71-64 and advance to face Saint Louis on Saturday. Luke Hancock iced down the room with two threes in the final minute and a half to give Louisville just enough room to breathe and move on. Louisville guard Russ Smith led all scorers with 16 points, while Montrezl Harrell grabbed 13 rebounds and poured in a dozen points to keep the defending champions alive.
Ashton Pankey scored 16 for the Jaspers, who led 58-55 with about four minutes left to play before Hancock and Smith came alive behind the arc.
Tom McCarthy and Donny Marshall called the action on WestwoodOne Sports.
(Montrezl Harrell dunk sets Louisville off and running)
[podcast id='1']
(Manhattan responds with a 14-4 run capped by Emmy Andujar)
[podcast id='2']
(Harrell gives Louisville the lead with a basket and the foul)
[podcast id='3']
(Rhamel Brown responds for Manhattan)
[podcast id='4']
(Louisville’s Russ Smith ties the game at 58 with a three)
[podcast id='5']
(Luke Hancock turns out the lights with a second consecutive three)
[podcast id='0']
(Final call as the Cardinals advance to the third round)
[podcast id='6']
(Postgame interview with Louisville’s Russ Smith)
[podcast id='7']
For our complete NCAA Tournament schedule, CLICK HERE.
Most Recent NCAA Basketball Posts
Florida comes from behind to win third National Championship
SAN ANTONIO, TX – Trailing by as many as 12 points in the second half, the Florida Gators came back to defeat the Houston Cougars, 65-63, in the Men’s Basketball National Championship Game on Monday night at… Read More »
Remembering the “Grate” Bill Walton
, This year's Final Four is the first without the great Bill Walton. Please take eight minutes here and help us honor Bill. We miss you, Bill. And don't worry, we've got a game. pic.twitter.com/vzBhNlf1Ic — Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 8, 2025 Read More »
UConn dominates en route to first National Championship since 2016
The Connecticut Huskies become the first DI basketball program to win 12 National Championships, dominating South Carolina 82-59 in Paige Bueckers’ final collegiate game. For the first time since 2016, @UConnWBB wins the National ChampionshipThe Huskies claim their 12th, more than any other DI basketball program‼️️: Ryan Radtke & @debbieantonelli… Read More »
Men’s Championship Matchup Set Following Two Thrilling Comebacks
Houston and Florida both overcame second half deficits to advance to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Game. After trailing Duke for nearly 35 minutes, Houston completed a stunning comeback outscoring Duke 25-8 down the stretch. Down 14? For Houston, NOT A PROBLEM@UHCougarMBK finished the game with an 11-1 sprint and… Read More »
Women’s Championship set after two dominant Final Four performances
Sunday’s Women’s Basketball National Championship game is set to be maybe the most highly anticipated matchup since… last year’s title game. Top-seed South Carolina had no issues with 1-seed Texas, beating the Longhorns 74-57 in the first Final Four game from Tampa to continue the title defense. ! #WFinalFour@GamecockWBB is… Read More »
Absolute Madness: Unbelievable ending to NIT Championship
If Thursday night’s thriller in the NIT Championship was any indication, the magic of postseason college basketball is just heating up. 5-seed Chattanooga completed its Cinderella run, claiming its first ever NIT title with an 85-84 OT win over 1-seed UC Irvine from Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Mocs needed… Read More »
Women’s Final Four set as Texas, UConn punch tickets to Tampa
The Women’s Basketball Final Four is etched in stone following a pair of dominant wins on Monday night. Top seed Texas jumped out to an early lead over in-state and former Big 12 rival TCU and never looked back, beating the 2-seed Horned Frogs 58-47 in Birmingham. ", !" #MarchMadnessFor… Read More »
