Kevin Ware cuts down a net Monday night in Atlanta after Louisville won the national title. Credit: Getty Images
Kevin Ware received hug after hug, Peyton Siva ended his Louisville career a champion, and Rick Pitino became the first coach in Division 1 NCAA men’s basketball history to win a national title at two different schools.
The Cardinals defeated Michigan, 82-76, in a thrilling, up-and-down affair to win their third NCAA title in school history.
Louisville trailed the Wolverines by one at the half but Luke Hancock (22 points) powered the Cardinals to 45 second-half points. Trey Burke led Michigan with 24 points.
Ware put the cap on Louisville’s emotional run by making the final cuts to the net in the postgame celebration. The basket was lowered so that Ware, who broke his leg just eight days prior in the Elite Eight round, could reach the net.
