The Final Countdown

We are now a little over 24 hours until the finale at Freedom Hall. The Louisville Cardinals are back to uncertainty with the current blow-out loss at Marquette on 3/2. ESPN college basketball analyst Joe Lunardi has Louisville as a 9 seed playing 8 seed Florida State in the Midwest St. Louis region. That meas if they do indeed beat Florida State they would have to play mighty Kansas in the second round. Another bracket has Louisville at a 10 seed playing 7 seed Gonzaga. And, worst case scenario, some have Louisville out all together. All of this uncertainty makes this last game at Freedom Hall even more important.

Without the drama of the NCAA this was going to be a huge night. Both of Louisville's national championship teams will be in the house (two championships, how cute). It will be the last game for Lil' Eddie and his running mate Jerry "the hardest man from Wisconsin" Smith. The anticipation of a new downtown arena will be felt like a current throughout the old stadium (insert Jennings joke here). The Cards would have been happy to have a last home game, knowing that they will be in the post-season with no problems. They would have been happy to pack up all 3 of their banners and their 2 retired jerseys, lock the doors and be on their way. Not gonna happen.

What is going to happen is that #1 Syracuse is going to come in like a hurricane with a mission to rock the Cards. The Cards were the only team in the Big East to defeat Jimmy B and his boys this year and don't think this has not been on the mind of the prideful coach. Rick Pitino has owned Boeheim since entering the Big East in 2005. Ricky P has wont the last 5 games against Boeheim.

Another scenario is that UofL is going to be hyped for the final game, senior day, playing the #1 team, playing for a possible tournament bid, and beat Syracuse for the second time this season. Syracuse could come to Freedom Hall in a relaxation mode due to already locking up a double-by in the Big East Tournament and a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Here is what I think is going to happen: Louisville is going to be ready and they are going to play tough from the tip-off to the final buzzer. They will have a sense of urgency and desire that they have lacked throughout this season. Samuels will quiet some of his critics with a big day. The outside shooting will be on point. But it isn't going to be enough. Syracuse's zone is going to be stiffer than Andy Rautins' gelled hair . The 'Cuse are going to have a big game inside from Rick Jackson and Arinze Onuaku. Big like one of those guys is going to have a double-double. And, as much as I hate to admit this, Andy Rautins is good. I don't think the senior guard is going to want to lose his final regular season Big East game. The Orange are going to want to stay #1 and compete with Kansas and Kentucky for the #1 overall seed in the Big Dance. Final score: Syracuse 68-Louisville 62.

If Louisville plays Syracuse close and tough and win at least one game in the BE tournament then I think they are in. If Syracuse blows them out at home then I think Louisville will have to win two games in the BE tourney. Louisville's SOS helps but their losing records against RPI top 100 teams and RPI top 50 teams hurt the Cards badly. Only time will tell if this really is the final countdown at Freedom Hall or if there may be a few games left to play at their current venue.