FINAL RECORD
27-9 overall, 14-4 in Big East, T-2nd place in the conference.

WHAT WENT RIGHT
Oddly, while injuries kept center David Padgett and forward Juan Palacios out early in the year and hurt the Cardinals in the rankings, it allowed them to find more playing time for other players, leading to a deep, experienced team to make a run in the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals' press was particularly effective during the year, holding 17 teams to under 40 percent shooting and fewer than 60 points. The development of Earl Clark into a rebounder, shot blocker and scorer lifted the Cardinals to the highest level.

WHAT WENT WRONG
Early season injuries kept Louisville from jelling early and dropped them from the top 10. C David Padgett missed 10 games with broken knee caps and F Juan Palacios missed nine games with knee surgery.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"We're a very good basketball team this year, very good. And they were better tonight." -- Coach Rick Pitino on losing to No. 1 seed North Carolina in the Elite Eight.

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