Greg Marshall referred to Saturday night’s game against Louisville the most critical he has had the opportunity to coach, and perhaps the most critical game Wichita state had ever played.
Notwithstanding the last 10 minutes, there would have been a more vital one Monday night.
The spunky underdogs from the Missouri Valley Conference witnessed a 12-point lead slip away, and the relentless cardinals demonstrated their title fortitude down the stretch, beating Wichita State 72-68 and keeping the ninth-seeded Shockers from playing for their national title.
When the final whistle was blown, Marshall stoically shook hands with Louisville coach Rick Pitino, and later went to the postgame news conference, where his voice was obviously strained. “There's such a group in that locker room you grow to love,'' Marshall said quietly” Marshal said quietly. “They're fun to coach, they're great character kids, and they’re tough as nails. But we didn't say, `Bye,' and we didn't say, `This is it.' This is just the beginning, just the beginning for us.”
Nobody thought that Shockers would go as far as they have to make it to Atlanta, but they kept disproving that notion time after time, felling first placed Gonzaga and second-seeded Ohio State on the way. Moreover in their only Final Four, they gave the Cardinals a good run. They led 26-25 at half time and gradually drew away in the second half, hitting target on nine of their initial 11 possessions. The Cardinals will meet Michigan for the national title Monday night following Wolverines thrashing Syracuse 61-56 in the other semi-final.
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College football brings together millions every year. Some of the best players in College football are given recognition every year by College football legend Kirk Herbstreit. The awards have been in existence for a long time, and are given to many categories of College Football participants, be it…
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