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On April 8, 2013, the Louisville Cardinals lived up to their overall top seed placement in the tournament, but they had to work intensely for the win.
The final was a match between the top-rated offensive team against the top-rated defensive team: a fight to the finish. Momentum vs. Endurance. Luke Hancock led the Cards, trailing by a 12-point deficit with less than 4 minutes to go in the first half, in their turn-around. Hancock made a couple of free-throws and a series of four 3-pointers to make up the deficit and take the lead before half-time. Hancock became the first reserve player to be named the Final Four`s Most Outstanding Player, putting in 22 total game points.
From the bench, injured guard Kevin Ware, recovering from a gruesome injury suffered in the regional final, undoubtedly contributed to the Cardinal's determination for the win.
In the end, the Louisville Cardinals overcame the 12-point deficit to win 82-76 in a thrilling final game, earning a second national title for coach Rick Pitino, (the first at University of Kentucky in 1996), and the goal was lowered allowing Ware to snip his own piece of the net.
Relive the tip-to-buzzer excitement as the 2013 NCAA National Basketball Championship game is displayed in its entirety.
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