The Louisville Cardinals defeated the Michigan Wolverines 82-76 becoming the 2013 NCAA National Champions on Monday evening. The victory gives Louisville its third National Championship. Peyton Siva revived his game in the second half, while Luke Hancock was part of a magical run in the beginning of the game that allowed the Cardinals to be in the game late in the first half.
Siva finished with 18 points scoring 12 points in the second half as he was able to cut apart the Wolverines' interior defense, easily getting into the paint for easy baskets. Had he focused on finishing at the hoop instead of attempting to draw fouls, he could have finished with about 30 points in this game.
Hancock finished the game with 22 points going 4-5 from the floor and 5-8 from three. Another major part of Louisville's offense was Gorgui Dieng who finished the game with eight points, seven rebounds and six assists. Chane Behanan was a beast under the rim grabbing 13 rebounds and scoring 15 points for the double-double.
The Cardinals had to muster an offensive attack as Michigan started this game on fire.
What an exciting first half it was in Atlanta as Spike Albrecht and Hancock put on a show for both teams. In the first minutes Albrecht came out and connected four straight threes. He was subbing in for Trey Burke who picked up two quick fouls in opening minutes. Albrecht took control of the offense and didn't mind taking advantage of open shots from three.
With 3:06 to play in the first half, Hancock stepped up and brought fire to the Louisville offense who couldn't even get layups to drop as Wolverine's interior defense was impenetrable. Albrecht who? Hancock knocked down four consecutive threes in less than two minutes.
Even more exciting, the Cardinals then took the lead as Hancock forced a steal and Peyton Siva pushed the ball down the floor to connect with Montrezl Harrell on a monster alley-oop making it 37-36 Louisville.
Michigan would regain the lead on two free throws by Glen Robinson III right before the half as the Wolverines led 38-37 at the half.
Analysts expected a high scoring game and this is exactly what happened in the first half. Both teams combined to shoot 11-19 from three and over 48 percent from the floor. Louisville's defense was so poor, the Wolverines shot 50 percent in the first 20 minutes of this game.
The Wolverines had Burke finish with 24 points, Tim Hardaway Jr., who you might see on ESPN Top 10 Plays, finished with 12 points and five rebounds.
Louisville coach, Rick Pitino wins his second NCAA National Title becoming the first coach to win two championships with two different teams.