1    Terrence Williams 6-6   210  SR

2     Preston Knowles         6-1   170  SO

5     Earl Clark         6-8   220  JR

10   Edgar Sosa         6-1   175  JR

20   Will Scott         6-3   185  JR

22   George Goode         6-8   205  FR

24   Lee Steiden         6-4   184  SO

33   Andre McGee         5-10  180  SR

34   Jerry Smith         6-1    180  JR

08-09 NEWCOMERS

12    Reginald Delk 6-4  175  JR Transfer- Miss St.

11    Chris Brickley N/A Transfer- Northeastern

Samardo Samuels 6-9  230 Jamaica

Terrence Jennings 6-10 225  Mass.

Jared Swopshire 6-7  195   St. Louis

Kyle Kuric 6-4  175   Evansville

7/2 Cards' Big East Schedule Released
Louisville's 2008-09 basketball season in the BIG EAST Conference was revealed Wednesday. It includes two games each against Notre Dame, West Virginia and South Florida, which isn't easy, but a lot smoother than years past. Coach Pitino was quoted last year saying the Cards got the "shaft" in the scheduling, however he should feel a little better this year.

"As tough as our schedule was last season, this year our BIG EAST and non-conference schedule could be the toughest we have ever faced" said Coach Pitino in a statement from UofL, "With as many as nine BIG EAST teams ranked in the early top 25 rankings, this could be the strongest season for the league since its inception.  We look forward to the challenge and I know it will be fun for our fans and players alike."

Although game time and date will not be set until closer to the season, the home and road match-ups have been set. Louisville will host UCONN, DePaul, Marquette, PITT, and Seton Hall along with the home/away sets with ND, USF, and WVU. The Cards will get their only shot at Cincy, Georgetown, Rutgers, St. John's, Syracuse, Villanova on the road. Getting UCONN and PITT at home is huge because they have both been ranked in the top 5 of early preseason rankings. The revenge factor at G'town may also be on our side. With non-conference games scheduled against the likes of UK, Minnesota, and UNLV on the non-conference schedule, the Cards could have a tougher road then last season where it was ranked the 6th toughest in the nation.

5/29 Heart Ailment Ends Holloway's Career
Clarence Holloway has lost his ongoing battle to play basketball for the University of Louisville to a heart condition, the school announced today. A battery of tests administered to the 7-1 big man from Chicago over the last few months revealed a condition known as Marfan syndrome, which affects 1 of 5,000 people. Holloway has been enrolled in classes hoping he would be cleared medically.

"God works in mysterious ways," said U of L Coach Rick Pitino. "Clarence developed a stress fracture his senior year, which kept him sidelined and probably saved his life. Detecting his heart condition and the subsequent surgery when he arrived at U of L was also a life-saving measure. Now, after this special testing, we know that the condition he has will make him unable to play basketball for the rest of his life. He will now begin a new journey, which will hopefully lead him to gaining a very strong education here at U of L and to prosper in a different walk of life. We're behind him 100 percent."

Holloway was highly-recruited out of Harlan High School in Chicago and committed to the Cards before his senior year (2006), a year in prep school and a failed attempt to test the NBA Draft waters led to Holloway's late-arrival. He was academically ineligible this season and had been cleared to play when a routine physical examination revealed the physically debilitating condition. The school will petition the NCAA for a medical exemption which will allow Holloway to remain on scholarship without subtracting from the team total.

This unfortunate news leaves the Cards with an open scholarship. It leaves a slight window for Derrick Caracter to return on scholarship, but if you ask coach Pitino, DC is as good as gone. It also gives Pitino the opportunity to score another major recruit for the 09 class, where a ton of highly-touted recruits have shown interest in the Cards. Caracter has a few more weeks to withdraw his name from the draft, we will know then whether or not the scholly will be used on DC or a new recruit with a clean slate. In the meantime, keep Clarence Holloway in your prayers and hope for the best in whatever he chooses in life.

Rob Jones (robjones.lyes@gmail.com)

5/28Lady Cards Land Big Time Recruit

The Louisville Lady Cards have added another stellar recruit to an already great class. Becky Burke will play fir the Cards next season. Burke had committed to South Carolina but was given her release after the school went through a coaching change this off season.

 

"We are thrilled to have Becky join our family," said Walz. "This was a unique situation and we were fortunate to have a scholarship available. Becky helps fill a void we have on our team and we can't wait to get her acclimated to campus. She will bring scoring, leadership, and a tenacious work ethic which fits perfectly into our plans for the future."

 

Burke was named the Pennsylvania Class AAAA Player of the Year by the Associated Press and was a first team all-state selection the last two seasons. The 5-11 guard finished her senior year at Abington Heights High School averaging 25.7 points while helping them to a 26-2 overall record.

 

Burke joins a class that also includes Janae Howard, Mary Jackson, Monique Reid, Gwen Rucker, and Tiera Stephen giving the Cardinals their best class in school history.

                                                     Trevor Kelsey (trevorkelsey.lyes@gmail.com)

5/22 Is Caracter Really Gone??

"The best recruit I've had at Louisville"

So were the words of Louisville Coach Rick Pitino two years ago when Derrick Caracter signed on to become a part of the team. Caracter was supposed to help take us to the promise land, get us over the proverbial hump, and then get drafted in the NBA lottery. He was known for dominating Greg Oden on the AAU circuit, hitting 5 threes in the Derby Classic Caracter and being named a McDonald's All-American. He then hit a few speed bumps, whether it be weight issues, work ethic, or curfew violations, that must have really soured Pitino's opinion about the once heralded 5-star recruit.

"He just has too many issues to overcome, academically and otherwise, to be a Louisville Cardinal. The best thing for him would be to go to a different place."

Caracter has been declared ineligible by Pitino for poor academics. No official NCAA ruling has been made, but this is obviously a product of Caracter thinking he was going pro the whole second semester and putting his studies on the back-burner. Pitino and Caracter had an "Old School/New School" battle all season with Pitino more concerned about the team and DC's improvement. Caracter was more concerned about himself, counting the days until he would get paid. There was a rumored "incident" at halftime of the UNC game that sounded like a bad break-up. DC then realized he made a mistake and has been trying to get his books in line so he could rejoin the team. Pitino has been hesitant to say the least.

Pitino is the king of second, third even fourth chances. He always glows when he tells stories about how far a certain player has progressed over his career under "Pitino Rules" (see Ellis Myles). He talks about how he pushes players to their limit in order to get the best out of them (see Otis
George), turning them into men. In this case, Pitino's coaching heart turned cold for his "project".

Caracter has been back in school, realizing he made a huge mistake thinking he was ready for the pros, trying to regain the trust of Coach. DC even declined an invitation to the Orlando Pre-Draft camp, presumably to stay in Louisville and continue to wash his soiled laundry. Now Pitino is declaring him ineligible when there's a whole summer session left? Pitino doesn't seem like the type to just give up on a player who seems to be trying to reconcile his mistakes.

Caracter could have failed every class this semester, for whatever reason and still have time to make them up in the summer. Even if that wasn't enough, he would only have to sit out the first semester, making himself eligible for Big East play. This seems to me as just another case of Pitino using the media to manipulate and motivate his players OR (for the first time ever) Pitino has decided to simply cut ties thinking his team is fine without the big distraction. This story has way too many holes to be
true.

I'm not saying that Caracter is on the Dean's List, however Pitino has helped kids with similar problems. The player might have to sit out a semester but eventually Coach will lead them to the light (Nazr Mohammad, Scott Padgett). In return Pitino demands respect and supreme effort. I'm not quite sure he is getting that from DC because he's basically telling him to leave.

If the academic problems hold up, DC will be back in the second semester. If DC fixes them, he'll play in the first game. Either way, I THINK CARACTER WILL BE BACK. Pitino is a future Hall of Fame coach who will not let this project go to waste, it is just a matter of how much pride to shallow. It would give the Cards an unstoppable front-court in a conference dominated by low-post studs such as DeJuan Blair and  Hasheem Thabeet. If anything it's 5 extra fouls in a brutal, bruising Big East. Honestly, I think Dc would learn more than his previous 5 years if his eligibility is sustained. If Caracter were allowed to come back, it would benefit both the former "sure-thing" asking for help and the genius coach looking to bring a championship to Louisville.

Watch the video at the bottom of the page. Looks like some serious foreshadowing.






4/25 Caracter Hot Topic at Pitino Presser
Rick Pitino has been called the "master motivator" over his coaching career for the way he gets his players to reach the apex of their ability. He can be called the master manipulator after his press conference on Wednesday afternoon. Pitino joined the media to review the concluded 07-08 season as well as preview the 08-09 season. However, the main topic of conversation was whether or not junior-to-be PF Derrick Caracter would be returning to the team. Acoording to Pitino, Caracter has been texting him daily trying to get back with the squad.

"He thinks there's a crack open where he can come back. He thinks I'm soft inside." Pitino said "He really needs to find out where he is in his basketball life because everybody overrates Derrick."

Most Cards fans are used to this rhetoric from the future Hall of Fame coach. He famously uses the media to motivate players as most good coaches do. Pitino NEVER gives up on his players. Sometimes when someone's dirty laundry is hung for everyone to see, it puts things in perspective.

"We are still in the same place we were. Obviously [Caracter] wants to come back, but that's not in his best interest," said Pitino.

Pitino stated that he hopes Caracter would sneak into the second round, which could be taken as motivation also for a player that has been hyped as a top 10 pick since he was a freshman in high school. Just last year a player who a lot of people said was dominated by DC when they faced-off, Greg Oden, was the #1 overall pick. I could be wrong, but it just seems like another cog in the "Pitino Media Spin Machine". Last week in a radio interview, Pitino said there was no chance Earl Clark would be back on the team. I know the situation is different, but coach wants what's best for the player. If Caracter wants back on the team, Pitino will make him sweat it out, but eventually let him back with the Cards. Caracter has not hired an agent, maintaining his eligibility. I stick by what I said on Wednesday, DC will be back on the team. The Courier-Journal headline of "Door Is Closed on Caracter" is taking what Pitino said too literally.

Other news from the press conference....
- Pitino said this was one of the more special years he has had as a coach because it was his most trying year as a coach.

-Minnesota and UNLV are on the schedule for next year and the Cards are trying to iron out a 4-game series with Western Kentucky, starting with a game in Nashville. Pitino raved about the Western program their style of play

-Earl clark felt he wasn't ready and wants to come back and be a 'college all-american"

-Recruits Samardo Samuels (recently named USA Today player of the year) and Terrence Jennings will fight for the 5 spot with Clark and T-Will commanding their 4 and 3 spots respectively

-Coach talked about how hard a worker Samuels is and how it came from his humble upbringing in Jamaica. Pitino said it would be a great story if anyone has a place to stay in Jamaica.

-07 recruit Clarence Holloway, a 7 footer from Chicago, has been cleared to play by the NCAA. Pitino said he will have to undergo a "battery of tests" to see if the heart condition that nearly ended his career (and still might) will allow him to participate in drills

-Said no one else will join the team next year. I'm sure Evansville star Kyle Kuric would beg to differ.

-Reggie Delk could improve because he is now competing for real game minutes

-Expects Edgar Sosa to bounce back from sophomore slump. Thinks that it humbled him.



4/16 Goodman Reports Clark to Return
Earl Clark has reportedly had a change of heart and had informed Coach Pitino that he will return to the basketball team next year, according to FoxSports college hoops expert Jeff Goodman. I know I wrote that I thought he was as good as gone and shopping around for agents, but he and his parents must have weighed all their options and decided it would be best for E5 to return for his junior year. This seems too good to be true, Earl has the ability to come back and average a double-double and be Louisville's first All-American since Clifford Rozier in 1994. This is just one man reporting this so take it for what it's worth. If true, this is extremely unique for today's college atmosphere. A player that has Top 15 potential coming back to improve his game and REALLY help his team. Also, if Caracter is trying to get back on the team, the presumed frontcourt problems would turn into a strength. With this report, the Caracter rumors are getting closer and closer to being the truth with the known relationship between the two. Cardinal fans are anxiously awaiting what the New Jersey duo's decision will be. It could be the difference between an Elite 8 loss and a national title.

4/15 Clark and Caracter Status Up In the Air
The rollercoaster ride that is the careers of Earl Clark and Dc is as twisted as it's ever been. There are reports from around campus that one, if not both, will be back next year. This comes shortly after Rick Pitino stated in a news conference that both would never lace it up for the Cards again. They both were as good as gone to me, with the exception of a few message board posts that suggested otherwise. Then I saw T-Will's MySpace page:

Date:     Apr 15, 2008 1:25 PM
Subject:SO I DON'T GET ANNOYED ANYMORE...

Body:     FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T LISTEN TO THE NEWS, I AM STAYING FOR MY SENIOR YEAR, SO YOU CAN STOP ASKING ME (NOT TRYING TO BE RUDE) BUT I MEAN IT GETS ANNOYING AFTER WHILE, WHEN ALL YOU GOTTA DO IS READ SOMEBODY'S COMMENT UNDERNEATH YOURS SAYING "I APPRECIATE YOU STAYING FOR YOUR SENIOR YEAR" SO PLEASE NOBODY ELSE ASK ME IF I'M STAYING OR NOT CAUSE I AM, ME & DRE WILL BE HOLDING IT DOWN AS TEAM CAPTAINS NEXT YEAR. AS FOR DERRICK HE IS TRYING TO COME BACK, BUT I DONNO IF COACH PITINO IS GONNA HAVE IT OR NOT BECAUSE HE SAID HE IS TIRED OF BABYSITTING, AND EARL IS PRETTY MUCH GONE UNLESS PRE DRAFT CAMPS DONT GO SUCCESSFUL FOR HIM.

- T-WILL

T-Will loves Coach Pitino and has never been in his "doghouse". I can see why he would be skeptical about letting somewhere who lives there back onto HIS team. T-Will could have a lot more freedom if D.C comes back. He could play more guard and not be forced to play PF in the case of foul trouble. He wants someone who is a team player, like we all do. The negatives might outweigh the positives in his mind. T-Will is the captain of the ship now, he knows what's best for the team. However, he did not mention one E5.

Earl Clark is just making sure he doesn't put the cart before the horse. All the mock drafts around the internet have him projected as a mid-to-late first rounder and individual workouts could put him in the lottery. His has all the physical attributes needed to be a great pro, however his maturity has always been a question. He has freakish size, a great knack for rebounding, and as Jay Bilas would say he is "very long", which NBA scouts love. It looks like he and his parents are actively shopping for agents, with Jonathan Blue's local based SFX Sports thought to have the inside edge. Blue is very close to the program and SFX is adding players to its fairly new stable. I'm sure SFX would be dissappointed if Earl is a lottery pick and they let him slip through their fingers. Clark is just making sure he doesn't sign with an agent, get hurt and end up playing for the Austin Toros instead of the Atlanta Hawks. The ONLY way we see E5 back, he will be recovering from an injury in pre-draft camps, a worst case scenario. I'm not going to belittle what he did at Louisville, it just seems like a tease of what could have been had he stayed.

On the other hand, my first thoughts were that D.C was never in the doghouse with Pitino because of his play (though I'm sure it attributed), but his grades and attitude. Like Darnell Jefferson, the young stud RB on The Program, DC needs to get him a Halle Berry-like tutor to get his grades up. DC has shown and been told since his freshman year in high school that he was destined for the NBA. His agility and soft-hands with such a solid frame usually equates into a pretty darn good player when his head is right. I think D.C has a problem with accepting the demands of Coach Pitino, who admittedly will push players to limits that they never thought they had. D.C isn't really wired that way, but the fact that he is allegedly attending class, working out, and trying to get his grades up shows that he wants to change. Since it was the team's decision to suspend him indefinately, I expect the team to vote on whether or not he is able to return and Pitino will take it from there. All signs point to him coming back with numerous sources saying he has been in class and working out. I think if he was dead-set on leaving, he would not be attending class, he would sign with an agent get a big advance check, and he would stay as far away from his team as possible. D.C wants back, it's just a matter of acceptance from Coach Pitino and the team.

I have gone from a "good riddance" attitude to one of forgivness with the beast from Jersey. Caracter would help give us (gulp), veteran leadership, on a front line that is on the verge of losing five players. Incoming frosh Samardo Samuels has been desribed as a poor man's Tyler Hansbrough by FoxSport's Jeff Goodman because of his consistant effort on both ends of the court, but how much of a learning curve will there be to acclomate himself into Pitino's system? Terrence Jennings is a raw talent that hasn't even qualified academically. He is an insane athelte which might help him through mistakes, but will he be able to log major minutes?

All the frontcourt issues could be solved if the team would allow Caracter to have Chance #267, but the team might have lost its patience with the much maligned big guy. Caracter will have to accept a leadership role with the incoming frontcourt players, but does he have it in him. If my assessment of Pitino is accurate, he will tighten the leash even more and let him back one. The decision will effect the entire outlook of the 08-09 Cards. The answer will come not too long after Derby when grades come out. If he passes, he's back. If he doesn't, good luck.


4/11 T-Will and McGee Named Co-Captains; Sosa Rumors
Terrence Williams and Andre McGee both came to Louisville at the same time, and they will leave Louisville at the same time. The only question is now is, How far can they lead us? The soon to be seniors entered the press conference on Thursday with matching grins and outfits, both happy to accept the honor of being named the co-captains of this upcoming season.

"It means alot to me" Willams said "Last season I was the un-chosen captain, I will just try to follow David [Padgett], he was a great leader".

"It's a great honor" added McGee.

"Andre and T-Will were logical choices," said U of L Coach Rick Pitino. "They're both coming off terrific years and they're both seniors and good leaders. I'm excited to have them as our team captains and I think they'll do a great job. T-Will is a more vocal leader, but they both bring it every day and lead by example. They've got big shoes to fill from David Padgett, who was a good positive leader."

Rumors had been flying around the town about Terrence Williams testing the NBA draft waters, but he shot those
ideas out of the water.

"I respect my coach and I trust him with everything I got," remarked Williams "there are too many sharks in the water in this years draft and next year there's alot of fish and sea weed, so I can be the shark in next years draft" Williams said. " I'm not ready to leave Andre yet".

The recent news of fellow teammate Earl Clark declaring for the draft may upset a lot of fans (media as well) who felt betrayed by the Sophomore's sudden change of heart, however his former teammates wish him well. Knowing he will not comeback, Pitino making it clear as clean glass that E5 will not return to Louisville, no matter if he hires an agent or not, which now seems likely to happen any day now.

"Looking at Earl, I can't blame him" McGee said referring to his physical build and unlimited potential.

Clark is one of 5 big men the Cards have now lost, leaving a host of young and new faces in the post next season. Good news for the returning great guards and coach Pitino. One of the fresh faces will be highly-touted freshman big man Samardo Samuels, but Louisville will be a very guard oriented team next season. That's not going to be bothering either one of these guys.

"He [Samuels] is a man child" said McGee.

"Samardo and those guys are a great class, but they're Freshman" Williams said "Four guards and one big is the
look I think we should go with".

"We're going to need them to step up" McGee said referring to the incoming class.

And step up they must. Louisville loses all of their post players, who combined for over 50% of the teams scoring and rebounding, and will return no one bigger then 6-6 from last season's roster.

"We're going to be young at the 4 and 5 spot, but anytime you have a strong back court you have a chance to compete" Pitino said. "we're looking for another front court player still".

This upcoming season should be very exciting. We will be as deep as anyone in the country in the back court, rotating Smith, Knowles, Sosa, McGee and Williams. The additions of incoming transfer Reganald Delk and 07 recruit George Goode, Louisville will have the type of back court rotation and depth to really wear down opponents with Pitino's patented press.

Even the seniors know it will not be easy and the team still has a lot of work to do. McGee looked better and better as the season went on, finishing the year shooting 39% from behind the arc and scoring in double figures 14 different times last season, while committing only 11 turnovers in the last 17 games.

"Working on point guard skills, as far as being a leader on the court" McGee admitted he needed to improve on.

Even a very confident Williams knows he still has to work to do.

"My left hand, destroying people and going to the basket." Williams said.

The youth that will be needed to contribute immediately doesn't bother Terrance Williams who has confidence in this upcoming team and thinks this next year will be fun. He and Mcgee have been through alot since coming here together
3 years ago, from going to the NIT Tournament, to the second round and to the Regional Final. Who knows whats still
to come.

"In Terrence and my situation, there is no tomorrow" McGee said.

When you know you have nothing to lose, that makes a player very dangerous. The rest of the country and Big East should be afraid, be very afraid.

There have been rumors that Edgar Sosa will be transferring and the athletic department insists that he is here to stay. Sportsline writer Gary Parrish wrote in his early-season preview that Sosa could possibly be going to Miami (FL). All indications have led to Sosa coming back, including quotes from his brother Erick to C-J writer Brian Bennett. I want to know where Parrish is getting his info, because all his other predictions seemed highly-likely or obvious. I just think he wouldn't print something about a player tranferring to a specific school without hearing some sort of inside grumblings. Message Boards are one thing, but this was a natioanl writer for a credible site. More on this to come....



4/6 E5 Leaves Cards Hanging
The worst nightmare of Louisville fans has come true. Earl Clark, in-line to become a pillar on the 08-09 team, has decided to forego his final two years of eligibility and take his chances n the NBA. No word yet on whether or not E5 has signed with an agent, leaving the possibility of withdrawing his name.

"Earl has decided to place his name in the draft and pursue a professional basketball career," said U of L Head Coach Rick Pitino. "We wish him nothing but the best."

All signs pointed to Earl coming back for his junior season. Pitino and Clark's family both thought it was in his best interest to come back so he could mature and develop his game further. However, during the Cardinals' NCAA Elite 8 run, Clark averaged a team-leading 14.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and blocked seven shots while hitting 62.2 percent of his shots (23-of-37). He was an all East regional selection which was highlighted by a 17 point 12 rebound effort against Tennessee in the regional semifinal. All the tournament success and possibility of coming back with too great of expectations made Clark's decision easier, I'm sure.

The 6-9 forward from Plainfield, NJ averaged 11 points and 8 boards for the Cards this year, but showed his toughness moreso in the Big East and NCAA tournaments. I commented during the tourney that E5 might be playing his way into the lottery; it's starting to look that way. Numerous NBA scouts have said Clark is already first round material with the possibility of the lottery with some good camps and workouts.

This leaves Louisville extremely thin in the frontcourt with Derrick Caracter expected to join Clark in the draft pool. This puts a lot of weight on the broad shoulders of both incoming freshmen, Samardo Samuels and Terrence Jennings. Hopefully, Clark's better mind will prevail and he will come back to develop another season with Coach Pitino. His stock is sky-high right now, but after the NCAA-envy wears off the microscope will come out and Clark may end up regretting his decision. The fact that he hasn't signed with an agent yet is a plus, however it looks as though E5's days as a Card are done.



3/30 Hansbrough, Heels Shoot Down Cards' Season
Not too many teams have had to play a tougher regional final game than the Louisville Cardinals did on Saturday night. What are the chances of us getting put in the same bracket placed in a bracket withe the #1 overall seed with the regionals being played in their home state. The fan support effects the game in many ways, regardless of what Roy "Aw Shucks" Williams says. Everyone involved in the game is effected by the crowd, the players and coaches feed off of it and the referees somehow find it harder to make those close calls on the home team, it's just plain human nature. Fans should be proud of Louisville, they nearly overcame the odds and beat North Carolina. However, too many obstacles stood in their paths and the Cards fell short, 83-73.
Rebounding was obstacle number one. To be more specific, the disregard for putting a body on somebody and blocking-out. A rebound dunk by Tyler Hansbrough was a momentum-shifting play that put the Charlotte crowd back into the game as the Cards attempted to overcome a 12-point halftime deficit. Although the Cards were only out-rebounded by 6, it seemed like everytime the Tar Heels needed a rebound, they got it. Much like Louisville did to Tennessee in the previous round, Carolina grabbed 8 of the first 10 rebounds. This gave "Psycho T" the second chances he thrives on. Hansbrough is known for his work ethic and intensity. It showed Saturday. He hit 18-footers, showed an array of post moves, and willed his team to victory behind a 28 point and 13 rebound performance. We just simply could not stop him. He plays rough and gets away with murder at times, but nothing can be taken away from his performance. Have to give credit where credit is due.

"I've never seen a player like that. He deserves everything he gets." said T-Will about Hansbrough

"He deserves all the success he gets. Like coach said, I've never played against someone that hard. Big time players make big time plays and he made two big time plays at the end." added David Padgett

Mental errors by the Cards led to crippling turnovers. Earl Clark was called for 3 traveling violations. Yes, E5 has been playing like an NBA star lately, but walking is still called in college. T-Will, usually an outstanding passer, had two turnovers at the most crucial point of the game when the Tar Heel lead was still within reach. Can't be too upset with the two, the Cards would have been watching the Elite 8 from a TV at Minardi Hall if it wasn't for their heart and playmaking in the tournament.
Collosal tourneys for both E5 and T-Will, almost certianly raisng the eyebrows of NBA scouts. Both stated after the game, that it's too early to say for sure whether they'd be back or not. Clark said as of right now he'll return, but we all know how that goes. Williams said he was leaving his decision up to coach Pitino, who will query scouts and GMs to see what the waters are like for T-Will. When asked if he had a preference, Williams said "I would perfer to play for the University of Louisville".

Seniors David Padgett, Juan Palacios, and Terrence Farley go out with a loss, something they didn't deserve. Padgett helped key the second half comeback with his usual court-vision which got the Cards some wide open lay-ins. Carolina, especially Hansbrough, pushed him around a little and took him off his game. Padgett is a warrior who's selflessness will be hard to match. A student-athlete who became a man in front of our eyes and sacrificed selfishness for the good of the team. You just don't see that among today's athletes.

"I'm real proud of our guys. They played their hearts out. They had a few turnovers down the stretch that really shot us in the foot. Some guys were giving everything they had, giving their hearts and souls, trying to get a victory." said a proud, yet disappointed Pitino

I know it's hard to admit to defeat, but the Tar Heels made clutch shots and the Cards didn't. Hansbrough and point guard Ty Lawson stepped up to the occasion. They've been there before, getting their hopes smashed by Georgetown last season in the regional final. Tournament experience is invaluable. Carolina wasn't going to give up 12 point leads two years in a row. They used what they learned last year in defeat to seize victory. Hopefully the Cards will do the same next year.