Louisville’s Hot Shooting Cools Tennessee

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Now that Bruce Pearl has turned Tennessee into an elite program in three seasons, the Volunteers are eager to take the next step. “It’s basically about making history now,” forward Duke Crews told reporters in Knoxville earlier this week, repeating a theme for the team this year. But as Louisville proved Thursday night, Tennessee still has some history to overcome before the Vols can contend for a national title. As for the Cardinals, they are hoping to repeat a bit of their own recent history.With a 79-60 victory in the N.C.A.A. tournament East Region semifinal at Charlotte Bobcats Arena, Louisville advanced to the Round of 8 on Saturday. The third-seeded Cardinals (27-8) will play No. 1 North Carolina in the East Region final, the winner advancing to the Final Four next weekend in San Antonio. Louisville last went that far in 2005, the year North Carolina won the national title. Earl Clark came off he bench to produce a double-double for Louisville with 17 points and 12 rebounds, one of five players to score in double figures as the Cardinals held off a second-half rally. The second-seeded Vols, trailing by 7 at the half, opened with a 6-0 run in the second half to pull within 37-36. But Louisville used a 12-2 run to re-establish control and take a 49-36 lead with about 13 minutes 30 seconds left in the game.Tennessee kept within range, but never made it a tight game again. Chris Lofton had 15 points and JaJuan Smith added 12 points to lead the Vols (31-5). SOURCE OF THIS STORY