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Winning it for Ware! Louisville triumphs over Michigan in NCAA final... a week after player's horrific injury on the court



Inspired by injured player Kevin Ware, the Louisville Cardinals turned early adversity into triumph, capturing the NCAA crown over the Michigan Wolverines.

Accompanying his team to the final games in Atlanta, Ware was a major presence for his team, motivating them since his gruesome injury on March 31.


Luke Hancock made all five of his 3-pointers and led Louisville to its first NCAA men's basketball championship since 1986 with a 82-76 victory over Michigan on Monday night.



Ceremony: Kevin Ware celebrates as he cuts down the net after Louisville's big win



Triumph: Kevin Ware, left, gets a hug from teammate Peyton Siva as the team celebrated the NCAA championship win in Atlanta



Jubilation: Confetti rained on the Louisville squad as the clock ran out

Coach Rick Pitino added this title to the one he won at Kentucky in 1996 and is the first coach to win a championship at two schools.


Earlier in the day, Pitino was elected to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. After the game, Pitino called his squad 'the toughest group of guys I have ever coached.'

Pitino added that he would now get a tattoo, a promise he had made to his players if they went on to win the tournament.


While much fanfare surrounded Pitino, there was no doubt the Cardinals wanted to win a national title for someone else - Ware.

Watching again from his seat at the end of the Louisville bench, his right leg propped up on a chair, Ware smiled and high-fived his teammates as they celebrated in the closing seconds, the victory coming just 30 miles from where he played his high school ball.

It was a complete turnaround from a week ago, when Ware was writhing on the court in agony as six inches of his leg bone was fully exposed after the gruesome injury.




Celebration: Louisville head coach Rick Pitino, center, hoists the NCAA trophy after the Cardinals defeated Michigan 82-76


Taking flight: Louisville center Gorgui Dieng, right, goes to the basket against Michigan Wolverines guard Nik Stauskas in the first half of their NCAA men's championship basketball game




The arena's crowd gave Ware a standing ovation as he hobbled onto the court in a sea of confetti.


One of the arena's backboards was then lowered for him so that he could partake in the ceremonial cutting of the net.

Ware said: 'These are my brothers. They got the job done. I'm so proud of them, so proud of them.'


Hancock scored 22 points and Peyton Siva had 18 for the Cardinals (35-5), who trailed by 12 late in the first half.

He was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, the first reserve player to take that award, according to the NCAA.






Helping hand: The backboard was lowered for Ware so that he could take part in the post-game ritual of cutting down the net




Honor: Luke Hancock, No. 11, was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player, the first reserve player to take that award

'We needed a rally and we've been doing it for a couple of games straight, being down,' Hancock said. 'We just had to wait and make our run.'


Trey Burke had 24 points for Michigan (31-8), which was in the final for the first time since the Fab Five led the Wolverines there in 1993.


Little-used freshman Spike Albrecht added 17 points.

After trailing by as many as 12 points in the first half, Louisville stormed back. Hancock began the charge with 16 points in the first half.



Story of the tournament: Ware is followed by photographers as he walks off with the net draped around his neck



Disappointing: Michigan guard Trey Burke, left, who had 24 points for the Wolverines, walks off the court as Louisville celebrates their win


Slam: Louisville forward Montrezl Harrell dunks over Michigan forward Glenn Robinson III

All eyes have been on Louisville since the devastating injury to Ware, who landed awkwardly while trying to block a shot during last Sunday's game against Duke.

Ware captured the hearts and emotions of America that night as he told teammates to 'go out and win this thing.'

The team made good on Ware's demand, winning that game and their next two to win him a championship trophy.


In several TV interviews and a press conference following his release from the hospital, Ware vowed to return next year.




Bond: Ware said after the game that he and his Louisville teammates are 'brothers,' and he is 'so proud of them'

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