Louisville 88
(16) Butler 73
Final from Louisville, Kentucky
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Rakeem Buckles scored 17 points and Louisville christened its new downtown arena with an 88-73 upset of No. 16 Butler on Tuesday night.
Terrence Jennings added 13 points and eight rebounds while Elijah Justice and Preston Knowles added 12 points each as the Cardinals withstood a late surge by the Bulldogs to open the KFC Yum! Center with a win.
Shelvin Mack tied a career-high with 25 points for Butler (1-1) and Matt Howard had 23 points and nine rebounds, but the Bulldogs shot just 35 percent from the field and couldn't overcome a 24-point deficit.
Louisville coach Rick Pitino has called this a "bridge year" for the Cardinals, who lost three starters to graduation, one to the NBA and another to injury.
He's said he's not sure when the Cardinals will reach the other side, but they took a couple of tentative steps against Butler.
The Bulldogs return four starters from last season's team that advanced to the national title game, but looked rattled at times in front of a sometimes frenzied crowd eager for the Cardinals to debut the sparkling 22,000-seat facility in style.
Pitino has promised a makeover of sorts, pledging to return to the frenetic pace he used to lead Providence and Kentucky to prominence earlier in his career.
The Cardinals weren't always crisp but they pushed the ball relentlessly, particularly in the first half. Though the offense broke down at times the Cardinals were never in any real danger.
Butler never led and trailed 50-26 midway through the second half before eventually climbing within 68-57 on a basket by Howard with 3:17 remaining.
Buckles responded with a 3-pointer and Louisville's defense produced a couple of key stops while Mack sat on the bench battling cramps.
The teams traded free throws and baskets the rest of the way before Louisville's Mike Marra sealed it with an emphatic one-handed dunk in the final seconds.
It was the signature moment of a night that belonged to the Cardinals.
Complete Recap from U of L
(16) Butler 73
Final from Louisville, Kentucky
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Rakeem Buckles scored 17 points and Louisville christened its new downtown arena with an 88-73 upset of No. 16 Butler on Tuesday night.
Terrence Jennings added 13 points and eight rebounds while Elijah Justice and Preston Knowles added 12 points each as the Cardinals withstood a late surge by the Bulldogs to open the KFC Yum! Center with a win.
Shelvin Mack tied a career-high with 25 points for Butler (1-1) and Matt Howard had 23 points and nine rebounds, but the Bulldogs shot just 35 percent from the field and couldn't overcome a 24-point deficit.
Louisville coach Rick Pitino has called this a "bridge year" for the Cardinals, who lost three starters to graduation, one to the NBA and another to injury.
He's said he's not sure when the Cardinals will reach the other side, but they took a couple of tentative steps against Butler.
The Bulldogs return four starters from last season's team that advanced to the national title game, but looked rattled at times in front of a sometimes frenzied crowd eager for the Cardinals to debut the sparkling 22,000-seat facility in style.
Pitino has promised a makeover of sorts, pledging to return to the frenetic pace he used to lead Providence and Kentucky to prominence earlier in his career.
The Cardinals weren't always crisp but they pushed the ball relentlessly, particularly in the first half. Though the offense broke down at times the Cardinals were never in any real danger.
Butler never led and trailed 50-26 midway through the second half before eventually climbing within 68-57 on a basket by Howard with 3:17 remaining.
Buckles responded with a 3-pointer and Louisville's defense produced a couple of key stops while Mack sat on the bench battling cramps.
The teams traded free throws and baskets the rest of the way before Louisville's Mike Marra sealed it with an emphatic one-handed dunk in the final seconds.
It was the signature moment of a night that belonged to the Cardinals.
Complete Recap from U of L
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