Four plays this season that helped Louisville reach the Final Four:
Clutch at the line
Play: With 4.2 seconds remaining, guard Russ Smith knocked down a pair of free throws to seal a 64-61 win over Pittsburgh on Jan. 28 in Louisville.
Why it mattered: Pittsburgh had raced from eight points down with 3:25 to play to within two with 13 seconds left before Gorgui Dieng and Smith went 4-for-4 from the line to close out the game and avoid a fourth consecutive loss.
Quote: "We were able to grind it out, play hard and come out with a victory," Smith told the Associated Press. "The last few games we had to dig in, and we did that tonight."
Starting the streak
Play: Smith made a 3-pointer on a feed from Peyton Siva to push the Cardinals' lead against St. John's to 37-33 with 14:25 to play in a home game on Valentine's Day.
Why it mattered: Starting with the 3, Smith scored the Cardinals' next nine points to help put away the Red Storm one game after Louisville lost 104-101 in five overtimes to Notre Dame. The Cardinals have not lost since, 14 consecutive wins.
Quote: "It felt really good. It felt like I was young again," the 21-year-old Smith told the Associated Press.
The comeback
Play: With his team ahead 45-29 with 15:34 to play in the Big East Championship game between Louisville and Syracuse, Syracuse forward James Southerland picked up his fourth foul, forcing him to the bench.
Why it mattered: Southerland's departure triggered a stunning 27-3 Cardinals run in which they overwhelmed the Orange with defensive pressure and a bushel of free throws. Louisville went on to claim its second consecutive conference title 78-61 on March 16 in New York.
Quote: "For the most part, we tried to pressure their guards," Siva told reporters after the game. "Michael Carter-Williams did an excellent job handling the pressure, but at the end we tried to wear him down, wear him down. And it took effect later in the game. They were hot in 3-point shooting in the first half, second half not so much, and that was really big for us."
Cruel break
Play: Challenging a Duke jump shot in the first half of the Midwest regional final in Indianapolis on Sunday, Louisville guard Kevin Ware landed awkwardly and suffered a compound fracture of his right tibia, with the bone protruding from his skin.
Why it mattered: Lying on the floor after the gruesome injury, Ware urged his teammates to win the game. Finding inspiration from his encouragement and selfless attitude, the Cardinals steeled themselves and defeated Duke 85-63 to advance to the Final Four.
Quote: "I don't think we could have gathered ourselves — I know I couldn't have — if Kevin didn't say over and over again, 'Just go win this game,'" coach Rick Pitino told reporters after the game. "I don't think we could have gone in the locker room with a loss after seeing that. We had to gather ourselves. We couldn't lose this game for him."
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