2008 East Regional Sweet 16: #3 Louisville (79), #2 Tennessee (60)

Tennessee was a favorite that year too I my opinion!

Yeah it was a total beating. As a U of L fan I figured it would be, mainly because U of L was peaking big time at this point and Chris Lofton was banged up going in. TN lost to a horrid UK team that year and almost lost the 2nd game too, so I wasn't worried. Just a shame the next game was facing UNC in Charlotte.

It was. Overall, Hansbrough saved UNC because this game was no cakewalk for the Tar Heels unlike the past three (#16 Mount St. Mary's, #9 Arkansas and #4 Washington St).

Cards had too many turnovers against UNC (19 compared to UNC's 14). Both teams shot VERY well, but UNC went to the free throw line 9 more times.

I don't recall U of L ever having a lead in the 2nd half, maybe tied it once and cut the lead to 2 at another point. I do recall being in FL watching the game and when that one really key U of L turnover happened (Jerry Smith losing one out of bounds?) it seemed like it deflated the entire room. From there it seemed like UNC went on a run and won going away.

These coaches would play a lot of guys lol.

I seem to remember it being a bit later than that. UNC didn't go on a major run at that point. I think maybe it was like 66-64 or so and then U of L had this ultra stupid turnover and from there UNC went on the game deciding run.

It was tied at 59, but the Cards had two traveling turnovers afterwards. Both teams could potentially face off in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament assuming UNC can shake off Richmond.