Three-Point Shooting Lifts Louisville
BIRMINGHAM - Lousiville head coach Rick Pitino was focused on not letting Boise State get hot with the deep shot, but it was his team that torched the nets and stamped its spot into the second round.
The Cardinals shot 50 percent (12-of-24) from long range with seven different players making a trifecta.
"I told our guys that we were going to make a lot of threes tonight, because they were going to try and take away our interior," Pitino said. "We got great movement on offense and took advantage of it."
The three-point barrage was crucial since the Cardinals main inside presence, David Padgett, went to the bench with two fouls early in the game. Derrick Caracter stepped in and provided nine points in 19 minutes to keep the Broncos respecting the inside presence.
"He does a lot of good things out there," Pitino said. "I could have gambled and left David out there, but if it was going to be a close game, we would have needed David down the stretch."
Earl Clark came off the bench to lead Louisville with 15 points. Jerry Smith recorded 12 off of four 3's, and Juan Palacios posted 13 points.
Matt Nelson led Boise State with 17.
I'm signing off from Birmingham now. I will see you guys Sunday for the second round action. Tennessee vs. Butler to get things started and Louisville and Oklahoma to finish it.
