Another in a series when I rewatch a key game from the past and file a GameCap as if it was played yesterday.
As loud as it was in Freedom Hall at the conclusion of the final regular season tussle against Memphis State, when Milt Wagner did what he does — swishing important FTs — little could we have imagined it would be a harbinger of how the Cardinals would advance in the post season.
Ever improving U of L is heading yet again to the Final Four after a harrowing 84-76 win over feisty Auburn in Houston
in the Elite Eight.
This will be HC Denny Crum’s sixth trip to the last weekend of the season, fourth in six years.
A W over Dale Brown’s LSU Tigers and Louisville will have an opportunity for another championship banner to hang in Freedom Hall.
The possiibility didn’t come easy.
And it came to pass thanks to the Cardinals’ prowess at the charity stripe down the stretch.
U of L finally snatched what would be the lead for good with three minutes left, thanks to a J from Billy Thompson. 71-70.
The outcome was still in doubt when BT stepped to the line for 1 +1 at 1:26, Louisville only up three. Both went down for a 77-72 margin.
Thompson’s pair made him 22/25 freebies for the tourney in the last four minutes.
Herb Crook followed with another pair. He’s 22/26 in the last four minutes of the Dance.
Then Milt hit a couple.
Of course, he did.
His totals in the last 240 seconds of tourney games is 35/37.
“Make your FTs, Win the game.”
It’s been pretty much an absolute since that Naismith guy put up the first peach basket, an added FTs a few years later.
The Professor reminds just about every game.
* * * * *
This one was tight the whole way.
Auburn netted their first five shots. A couple of Chuck Person’s jumpers were from long range, near the NBA three point line on the Summit hardwood.
The Cards matched them for the most part. Neither squad had more than a three point advantage in the 1st.
Cards led 44-43 at the break. Both teams at that juncture were draining shots at well over 50% from the field.
The Tigers led for most of the 2d, but their largest margin was 4 at 54-50.
That boffo marksmanship continued throughout despite stalwart D by both the Cards and Tigers.
U of L was 34/63 for the afternoon. 54%. Auburn, 33/62, 53%.
At the line, U of L was 16/20 (80%), Auburn 10/14 (72%).
* * * * *
Superb Herb Crook led the Cards with 20, and on the boards with 11.
Milt Wagner, 8/8 at the line, scored 16, 12 in the 2d.
Pervis Ellison talled 15, Jeff Hall 14, and Thompson 13.
* * * * *
Another tourney matchup with UK was thwarted when the Wildcats fell in the Mideast Final.
Beat Louisiana State.
— c d kaplan
