Some major college basketball teams claim to be everyone’s Superbowl when they go on the road. With President Bush, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, NFL Stars, and NBA stars in a packed house at Moody Stadium tonight and it being the hottest ticket in town I think this game would classify. The announcers while naming the list of celebrities in the building said this game was like the Oscars. The Cardinals overcame one of wildest crowds and raucous environments you’ll ever see in a college basketball game tonight and beat SMU 84-71. Pitino “this was a very difficult environment…obviously they serve alcohol here.” SMU had been a perfect 15-0 at home and had a +19.6 margin of victory at home until the Cardinals came to town tonight in what was considered their biggest game in school history. With this win Louisville (25-5, 14-3), is now leading the AAC conference by a half-game, and will host No.19 UConn on Saturday (3/8) at 2pm ET on CBS.

The Cardinals used some great defense, some great three point shooting and some solid free-throw shooting to overcome a hard charge and a 14 point lead by the Mustangs in the first half. The Cardinals had 17 steals tonight, scored 25 points off of 23 turnovers, hit 54% (13-24) from 3-point range and 70% (19-27) from the free-throw line.

I said in my post game article that Russ and Luke would have to step up tonight. While sick to his stomach for most of the game Russ had 26 points, 9-15 FG, 6-6 from 3-point, 6 rebounds, 5 assist, 2 steals, and 3 turnovers. Maybe one of his most courageous and gutsy performances of his career. Pitino on Russ being sick “(He said) put me in when you can..just let me throw up.” Pitino: “If you put a harness on Russ, you are not going to see greatness.” Well tonight we saw greatness from a great kid.
Cool hand Luke had 15 points, 3-10 FGs, 3-8 from 3-point, 3 rebounds, 4 assist, 1 steal, and 3 turnovers. Pitino: “I told Luke to go over to (George W. Bush) and just say, ‘It’s an honor that you’re here tonight. We’re so happy to see you.'” I still don’t think his game is where it was a year ago around this time, but he is showing signs that it is going in that direction. If his game is on it puts this team at a different level.

I also said in my post game that Montrezl would have to continue doing his thing and that it was time for Chris Jones to step up and have a big game. Montrezl had 19 points 7-9 FGs, 8 rebounds, 3 assist, 3 steals, and 2 turnovers in another beastly performance. After his abuse of the rims at Moody Stadium tonight he now has 80 dunks on the season. He is playing with the type of domination that a team could ride to a Final Four.
And Chris Jones did step up tonight and then some. He had 21 points, 6-14 FG, 4-7 from 3-point, 2 rebounds, 6 steals, and 2 turnovers. We found out after the game that he’s dedicating the rest of the season to his brother, Demetrius Ray, 24, who was shot and killed in Memphis Saturday. Jones on death of his brother: “I’m doing what he wanted me to do. He wanted us to win the whole thing, so I’m dedicating the season to him.” It’s unreal what some of these kids have to overcome on a daily basis. CardNation is behind you Chris.

This was a fun one tonight Cardinal fans. The great Paul Rodgers called it the “greatest road win ever” and he’s seen a lot of em. If our guys can build on this one and keep it going it won’t be our last trip to Dallas this season. I think you will start to see the same sentiment from a lot of the college basketball talking heads after this one. I know that I couldn’t be more excited. Only thing bad about tonight was knowing that in the next game we have to say good-bye to some of the most awesome kids to ever lace em up in the Cardinal Red. Saturday will be bittersweet…