One spot in the Final Four remains.
2. No. 5 Louisville blacks out No. 3 West Virginia (11/2/06)
HOW IT GOT HERE: Defeated No. 15- 2007 Big East tourney victory over West Virginia
When I'm 177-years-old and my mind is finally starting to go, I will still always remember that the '06 Louisville/West Virginia game was played on Nov. 2. It was a game that was talked about so much, from the moment the Big East schedule was released up until the opening kickoff, that the date should forever be etched into the memory of any Cardinal fan who experienced the Orange Bowl season.
With all due respect to the Final Four run the year before, this was the most alive the city was for a sporting event in the 2000s. You couldn't go anywhere without seeing someone in card wear or having someone tell you about their tailgating plans or their struggle to land tickets. There were "beat West Virginia" spots on both local television and radio. The game was THE sports story of the week at the national level, and every possible detail was scrutinized for the four work days leading up to it.
It was Louisville taking its biggest step yet towards a national championship...in football. It seemed at times that week like the city might burst.
In the biggest game of his Cardinal career, Brian Brohm tossed for 354 yards and a touchdown as Louisville took advantage of several Mountaineer mistakes to notch a 44-34 victory. The crowd, dressed in all black, stormed the field as U of L stood just four victories away from (probably) playing for the national championship.
Perhaps the biggest case for this being the game of the decade is that it seems to be the "where were you" moment brought up the most by Cardinal fans.
7. LOUISVILLE STUNS TENNESSEE IN THE FINAL MINUTE AT THE HALL (12/20/01)
HOW IT GOT HERE: Defeated No. 10- Sosa's dagger against UK in '09 (53%-46%)
Just about everyone I've talked to who attended this game claims it was the loudest they've every heard Freedom Hall. There are also countless stories of high-fives and hugs with nearby strangers.
Neither team would end up making the NCAA Tournament, but this game was special for a number of reasons.
1) It was Pitino's first year.
2) This team was sorely lacking in talent but was already overachieving and playing with more energy than the fans had seen in years.
3) The frustration of the final Crum years were still fresh in everybody's minds.
4) It very well could have been the most exciting finish of the decade...
So who claims the final spot in the semifinals?
Vote or 2010 will be the worst year of your life.