Taking a Look at the University of Louisville's Two Previous Championships

Sometime past 9:00 p.m. EST this evening the University of Louisville Cardinals will contend for their third national championship.  This is the first time that the Louisville Cardinals have a chance for a national championship since 1986.  Louisville will play Michigan this evening.  In the previous two championship matchups Louisville played UCLA in 1980.  That team was led by Senior Darrell Griffith.  They beat UCLA 59-54.  In 1986 Louisville beat Duke for the national title by the score of 72-69.  Freshmen Pervis Ellison led the Cardinals with 25 points and 11 rebounds. 

Both of the championship Cardinal teams were coached by Denny Crum.  During his 30-year career at Louisville, Crum took the Cardinals to the Final Four six times and won the national championship two times.  This year's Louisville team is coached by Rick Pitino.  In his twelve years in his helm at Louisville, he's taken them to the Final Four three times.  This is his first year there he has a chance to win the national championship.  Here's a look at the previous two championship games Louisville played in 1980 and 1986.

Louisville vs. UCLA in 1980




Louisville vs. Duke in 1986