Big Red Louie
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Reliving the best moments in Louisville basketball rivalry vs. Cincinnati

By Alan Thomas

NEW YORK - MARCH 10: Peyton Siva #3 of the Louisville Cardinals looks to pass against Yancy Gates #34 of the Cincinnati Bearcats during the second round of 2010 NCAA Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 10, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - MARCH 10: Peyton Siva #3 of the Louisville Cardinals looks to pass against Yancy Gates #34 of the Cincinnati Bearcats during the second round of 2010 NCAA Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 10, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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LOUISVILLE, KY – JANUARY 30: Russ Smith #2 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at KFC YUM! Center on January 30, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY – JANUARY 30: Russ Smith #2 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball during the game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at KFC YUM! Center on January 30, 2014 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

No. 1 – The shot

In what would be the 99th game between the two arch-rivals and the last time the two teams would meet as members of the AAC, as the no. 7 ranked Bearcats hosted the defending national champions and no. 11 Cardinals.

Cincinnati had defeated Louisville in the KFC Yum! Center only a month prior, and many folks around the country perceived Coach Mick Cronin’s team to be superior. In a game that was a hard-fought and brutal display from start to finish, what took place in the final seconds was historic.

Senior guard Russ Smith brought the ball into a dribble-drive situation with Louisville down 56-57 with about 10 seconds to play.

Suddenly, the play began to fall apart. Smith shuffled a pass to a guarded Terry Rozier, who lifted for a clean shot, but at the last second, faked into a pass back to Smith, who was being closed out on, and Russ let a shot go into the heavens over a taller, outstretched defender that miraculously hit the bottom of the net with 2.2 seconds remaining, lifting the Cards to a 58-57 win.

It would be the final game between Louisville and Cincinnati as the rivalry went on hiatus.

Next. 3 potential opponents for Cards in ACC/Big Ten Challenge. dark

Here’s to renewing this hate-infused battle of the Ohio River Valley.

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